[Clipping for large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms by non-fluoroscopic occlusion via a micro-bone...

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value and outcomes of technical improvement of hybrid operatical clipping for large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms. Methods: A review was conducted on 18 cases of large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm which were clipped by balloon non-fluoroscopic occlusion of the parent artery via a micro-bone window frontolateral approach in hybrid operating room at Neurosurgery Department of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from June 2014 to December 2017. There were 8 males and 10 females with age of (63±4) years. There were 6 cases of unruptured aneurysm and 12 cases of ruptured aneurysm of subarachnoid hemorrhage (6 cases of grade Ⅱ, 4 cases of grade Ⅲ and 2 cases of grade Ⅳ in Hunt-Hess classification). Frontolateral approach incision (average length of about 5 cm) and bone window about 3 cm×3 cm were performed. No incision of the neck was needed to expose the internal carotid artery for temporary occlusion. In the operation, the balloon was slowly pushed to the preset position of the internal carotid artery under non-fluoroscopy. The balloon was expanded to block the blood flow of internal carotid artery. Then aneurysm was clipped. The balloon was loosened and retraced to the guiding catheter after clipping. The clipping condition was examined by cerebral angiography. If there was residual aneurysm neck or stenosis of the parent artery, the balloon was pushed under non-fluoroscopy again to temporary occlusion and the clip was adjusted until the aneurysm neck was clamped satisfactorily. Results: Eighteen aneurysms were successfully clipped in hybrid operating room. Fourteen aneurysms showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm neck and no stenosis of the parent artery. Four cases showed residual aneurysm neck after clipping by intraoperative angiography, then aneurysms were clipped satisfy by adjusting the aneurysm clip. The patients were followed up for 3 months to 1 year. Ten patients recovered well (modifed Rankin score (mRS): 0), and 3 patients had no obvious disability (mRS: 1). Two patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ were slightly disabled (mRS: 2). 1 patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ were moderately disabled (mRS: 3). 1 patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅳ were severely disabled (mRS: 4). One elderly patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅳ were seriously disabled (mRS: 5). Conclusions: Application of balloon non-fluoroscopic occlusion clipping for large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm via a micro-bone window frontolateral approach is safe, effective and minimally invasive.