[Is it necessary to operate on asymptomatic aneurysms? Apropos of 114 surgically treated asymptomatic aneurysms]

A six years retrospective analysis of asymptomatic aneurysms (A.A.) was done in 4 neurosurgical departments: 114 AA were clipped in 99 patients. In 44 patients (48 asymptomatic aneurysms) the surgical procedure was achieved in one step for both symptomatic and asymptomatic aneurysms. In 59 patients (66 asymptomatic aneurysms) the surgical procedure was delayed as it necessitated a second and elective craniotomy. As regard the treatment of asymptomatic aneurysms, there was no morbidity, and one death due to a massive pulmonary embolism. These surgical results are undoubtebly better than the risk of hemorrhage from unruptured aneurysm as emphasized in the literature.