Intracranial-to-intracranial vascular anastomosis created using a microanastomotic device for the treatment of distal middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Technical note.

Abstract

The use of a microanastomotic device for direct connection of intracranial vessels can be helpful to facilitate removal of distally located middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. The authors report on two patients who presented for treatment with large aneurysms distally located on the MCA. The aneurysms were completely excised and the proximal and distal portions of the parent vessel were connected in an end-to-end fashion by using a microanastomotic device. The time required to crossclamp the vessel for excision of the aneurysm and primary anastomosis was 10 minutes in one case and 15 minutes in the other. The short crossclamp time and high-quality anastomosis afforded by this device may be useful in the treatment of these difficult lesions and the prevention of cerebral ischemia.