Surgical treatment of patients with extracranial carotid artery aneurysms

Between January 1998 and December 2003 thirty-one patients with extracranial common and internal carotid artery aneurysms underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Russian Scientific Center of Surgery. Of these patients, 29 subjects were provided reconstructions on these arteries and two patients underwent ligature operations. In the short-term postoperative period, one (3.2%) patient died. The lethal outcome was induced by acute disorder of cerebral circulation (ADCC). Disorders of cerebral circulation (DOC) occurred in 4 (12.8%) patients. Of 2 (3.2%) cases of stroke, one eventuated in lethal outcome and 2 (6.4%) patients developed transient ischemic attacks (TIA). The lethality in the long-term postoperative period (the follow up lasted as long as 5 years) accounted for 6 (19.3%) cases. In patients who had undergone reconstructions, the long-term postoperative lethality reached 13.8% (4 cases) whereas the lethality following ligature operations constituted 100% (2 cases). So, the reconstructive operation is a highly effective and safe enough approach to the treatment of patients with extracranial carotid artery aneurysms. The short- and long-term results were beneficial.