Woven Endobridge (WEB) Device as a Retreatment Strategy After Unsuccessful Surgical Clipping

Surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms is typically robust and durable. However, residual aneurysmal components may be seen after clipping. Furthermore, there may be occasional aneurysmal recurrence. These factors are both clinically relevant because subarachnoid hemorrhage after clipping is a rare but important event. The rationale for any treatment is to substantially decrease the future risk of hemorrhage. Small series have shown coiling as a retreatment strategy after unsuccessful clipping, but none has explored the feasibility of Woven Endobridge (WEB) implantation.

We examined the feasibility of WEB implantation as second-line treatment for wide-necked residual aneurysms after unsuccessful clipping. We also recorded the safety and efficacy in this small series of 6 patients. To determine safety, we measured the modified Rankin Scale score before and after the procedure, and at 2 later time points (mean follow-up, 5 months and 15 months). To determine efficacy, we obtained radiographic aneurysm occlusion outcomes (including WEB Occlusion Scale) at these 2 time points. Four middle cerebral artery and 2 anterior communicating artery complex aneurysms were treated with WEB implantation, showing feasibility in 6/6 cases (100%). Follow-up at 15 months showed no change from preprocedural modified Rankin Scale score and there were no other complications. There was adequate occlusion in 5/6 cases (83%).

WEB implantation provided a feasible option in this challenging retreatment scenario. This is a small series and prospective data are required to make outcome inferences for this population. Nonetheless, we observed no complications and high adequate occlusion rates.