Maxillary Artery to Intracranial Bypass.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Cerebrovascular Surgery

Background:

• Cerebral revascularization treats complex aneurysms and cerebral occlusive disease.
• Superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass is the standard extracranial-intracranial procedure.
• Alternative bypass techniques are continually explored for improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution, surgical approaches, and clinical applications of maxillary artery to intracranial bypass.
• To highlight the advantages of maxillary artery bypass over traditional methods.
• To assess the feasibility and benefits of this alternative revascularization technique.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical development and surgical techniques for maxillary artery bypass.
• Analysis of cadaveric and clinical studies demonstrating feasibility.
• Discussion of indications and potential intracranial targets for revascularization.

Main Results:

• Maxillary artery bypass is technically feasible and offers higher flow rates.
• Advantages include good caliber matching, shorter graft length, and graft protection.
• Versatile for revascularizing multiple intracranial arteries like the internal carotid and cerebral arteries.

Conclusions:

• Maxillary artery to intracranial bypass is a valuable, albeit challenging, alternative for cerebral revascularization.
• It provides significant benefits for treating complex cerebrovascular conditions.
• Further adoption may enhance treatment options for patients with limited traditional bypass choices.