Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
[Surgical treatment of injuries of the vertebral artery]
Insights
Surgical repair of vertebral artery injuries is challenging. A novel technique using wax and sponge for medullary canal injuries proved effective, preventing cerebral circulation issues in patients.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Vertebral artery injuries present significant surgical challenges.
- Effective management strategies are crucial to prevent neurological deficits.
Observation:
- Six surgical cases of vertebral artery injury were reviewed.
- Three patients underwent arterial ligation at the orifice.
- Two patients with medullary canal injuries received a novel treatment.
Findings:
- The novel treatment involved tight filling of the medullary canal with warm wax and a collagen hemostatic sponge.
- No instances of cerebral circulatory disorders or vertebrobasilar insufficiency were observed post-treatment.
- One patient mortality occurred, unrelated to the described surgical interventions.
Implications:
- This technique offers a promising approach for managing vertebral artery injuries within the medullary canal.
- Preoperative compression testing is vital to assess collateral circulation and prevent cerebral complications.
- Further research may validate this method for broader clinical application in vascular and trauma surgery.
Abstract:
Surgical treatment of injury to the vertebral artery is one of the most difficult problems of modern vascular surgery. Six operations were carried out for injury to the vertebral artery at the Department of Vascular Surgery of the Tashkent Research Center of Surgery, Uzbekistan. In 3 patients the artery was ligated at the orifice. The performance of the compression test for excluding the possibility of the development of cerebral circulatory disorders is obligatory in all such cases. Two patients with injury to the vertebral artery in the medullary canal were treated by a method elaborated in the clinic and consisting in the tight filling of the canal with a mixture of warm wax and a collagen hemostatic sponge. In none of the cases were disorders of cerebral circulation and a clinical picture of vertebrobasilar insufficiency encountered. One patient died.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management

