Transblepharo-Preseptal Modified Orbitozygomatic Approach for the Treatment of Ruptured Proximal Anterior Circulation...

Minimally invasive skull base approaches, including the cosmetically optimal transblepharo-preseptal modified orbitozygomatic (TBMOZ) technique, have been described to treat proximal anterior circulation aneurysms. The use of minimally invasive techniques for previously ruptured aneurysms is rare because of perceived technical challenges in controlling intraoperative ruptures. Herein, we determine the utility of the minimally invasive TBMOZ approach for the treatment of ruptured proximal anterior circulation aneurysms.

A retrospective analysis of an institutional review board-approved, prospective database was performed to identify patients with ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms treated with a TBMOZ approach. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, temporary clip time, intra-operative ruptures, and neurologic outcomes were recorded.

Fifteen patients (9 females, 6 males; average age, 53.6 ± 12.2 years) underwent a TBMOZ craniotomy following subarachnoid hemorrhage for clipping of 17 aneurysms (12 anterior communicating, 3 posterior communicating, and 2 carotid terminus). Four of 15 patients (26.6%) experienced intraoperative rupture, which was easily controlled in all patients and did not affect clinical outcomes. All patients had complete aneurysm ablation confirmed on postoperative cerebrovascular imaging. Good neurologic outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Score [GOS] of 5) were achieved in 73.3% (n = 11) of patients at time of hospital discharge; the remaining patients had a GOS of 3-4. No patients experienced frontalis muscle weakness or facial nerve injuries, and all patients had acceptable cosmetic outcomes. One patient (6.6%) experienced a surgery-related complication: postoperative versus vasospasm-induced perforator infarcts.

The TBMOZ approach provides a minimally invasive option for the safe treatment of previously ruptured proximal anterior circulation aneurysms.