Use of fenestrated aneurysm clips in microvascular decompression surgery. Technical note and case series

/The standard techniques of microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery in which implant materials such as shredded Teflon felt are used may be inadequate in some complex cases. The authors evaluated the use of fenestrated aneurysm clips to maintain transposition of culprit vessels in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). The authors conducted a retrospective review of MVD operations in which the culprit vessel was transposed and then maintained in position with a fenestrated aneurysm clip secured in position by suturing it to the dura mater. Among a consecutive series of more than 450 MVD surgeries, the fenestrated aneurysm clip sling was used in eight of the last 100 cases: six for HFS and two for TN. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 13 months, and complete symptom resolution was noted in seven of the eight patients. No patient exhibited evidence of any surgical complications. This approach can be safely performed in complicated MVD cases such as reoperations and transpositions of long ectatic arteries. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report in which the use of fenestrated aneurysm clips in MVD surgery is described.