Clip-grafts for aneurysm and small vessel surgery. 1. Repair of segmental defects with clip-grafts; laboratory studies and clinical correlations. 2. Clinical application of clip-grafts to aneurysms; technical considerations.

Abstract

ThE introduction of the operating microscope to the field of neurosurgery has opened a new era3 ,6 Intracranial neurovascular surgery on major vessels seems technically feasible. Yet the necessity for rapid work, the position of these vessels, the friable vessel wall, and uncontrolled bleeding make microsuture techniques most difficult. The purpose of the clip-graft is to provide the neurosurgeon with a rapid non-suture technique for the repair of diseased major intracranial vessels. It is anticipated that there will be application to endarterectomies, embolectomies, aneurysms, and the repair of major vessels injured in tumor surgery. The clip-graft utilizes a teflon or dacron graft attached to a circular spring metal clip. The stainless steel metal clip is merely the carrier for the graft and provides a non-suture method of application, This report resolves itself therefore to a study of these fabric grafts in the repair of segmental defects in small arteries of the sizes of the human internal carotid and middle cerebral. The previously reported concept of intraluminal pressure-sealing is utilized2