Intracranial Aneurysm Surgery Research Articles

Health care-associated infections after surgical treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms

BackgroundAneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is catastrophic, and microsurgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms is one of the preventive modalities for rebleeding. However, patients remain at high risk of medical morbidities after surgery, one of the most important of which is health care-associated infections (HAIs). We analyzed the incidence and risk factors of HAIs, as well as their association with the outcomes after surgical treatment of ruptured aneurysms. MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 607 patients with SAH who had undergone surgery for intracranial aneurysms. Information was retrieved from the database using codes of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. ResultsOf the 607 patients, 203 were male and 404 were female. HAIs occurred in 113 patients, accounting for 18.6 % of the population. The independent risk factors for HAIs included age ((p = 0.035), hypertension ((p = 0.042), convulsion ((p = 0.023), external ventricular drain ((p = 0.035), ventricular shunt ((p = 0.033), and blood transfusion ((p = 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was 25.3 ± 18.2 and 18.8 ± 15.3 days for patients with and without HAIs, respectively ((p = 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rates were 11.5 % in the HAIs group, and 14.0 % in the non-HAIs group ((p = 0.490). ConclusionHAIs are a frequent complication in patients with SAH who underwent surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The length of hospital stay is remarkably longer for patients with HAIs, and to recognize and reduce the modifiable risks should be implemented to improve the quality of patient care.

Healthcare-associated infections in postoperative patients with intracranial aneurysm in Ukraine.

Aim: to investigate the epidemiology, microbiology, and risk factors for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in postoperative patients with intracranial aneurysm in Ukraine. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2022 in four tertiary care hospitals of Ukraine. The diagnostic criteria were based on specific HAI site were adapted from the CDC/NHSN case definitions. Results: Of 1,084 postoperative patients with intracranial aneurysm, 128 (11.4%) HAIs were observed. The most common of HAI type was possible ventilatorassociated pneumonia (38.2%) followed by central line-associated bloodstream infections (33.8%), catheter -associated urinary tract infection (18.5%), and surgical site infection (9.6%). Inpatient mortality from HAI was 5.1%. Emergency admission, mechanical ventilation, taking antiplatelet aggregation drugs, albumin reduction, hyperglycaemia, hyponatremia, surgical procedure, operation time > 4 h, mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter, and central venous catheterization were risk factors associated with HAI in patients with intracranial aneurysm surgery. A total of 26% cases of HAIs by MDROs were notified over the study period. Klebsiella spp. - essentially K. pneumoniae - were the most frequent, followed by Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli. Carbapenemase production in Enterobacterales constituted the most frequent mechanism of resistance, while ESBL-production in Enterobacterales and meticillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were detected in 65,7% 62,3% and 20% of cases, respectively. Conclusions: The present study showed that HAIs is a common complication in postoperative patients with intracranial aneurysm in Ukraine and multidrugresistant organisms the major pathogen causing infection.

Association between De Ritis ratio and intraoperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a single center, retrospective, propensity score-matched study.

Although elective surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) has increased, few studies have evaluated the risk factors for transfusion during UIA surgery. We evaluated the association between the preoperative De Ritis ratio (aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase) and the incidence of intraoperative transfusion in patients who had undergone surgical UIA clipping. Patients who underwent surgical clipping of UIA were stratified into two groups according to the preoperative De Ritis ratio cutoff levels (< 1.54 and ≥ 1.54), and the propensity score (PS)-matching analysis was performed to compare the incidence of intraoperative transfusion. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for intraoperative transfusion. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analyses were performed to verify the improvement in the intraoperative transfusion predictive model upon addition of the De Ritis ratio. Intraoperative transfusion incidence was 15.4% (77/502). We observed significant differences in the incidence of intraoperative transfusion (16.2% vs. 39.7%, P = 0.004) between the groups after matching. In the logistic regression analyses, the De Ritis ratio ≥ 1.54 was an independent risk factor for transfusion (odds ratio [OR]: 3.04, 95% CI [1.53, 6.03], P = 0.002). Preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) value was a risk factor for transfusion (OR: 0.33, 95% CI [0.24, 0.47], P < 0.001). NRI and IDI analyses showed that the De Ritis ratio improved the intraoperative blood transfusion predictive models (P = 0.031 and P = 0.049, respectively). De Ritis ratio maybe a significant risk factor for intraoperative transfusion in UIA surgery.

Hyaluronidase Injection to Reduce Periorbital Edema after Surgery for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Background: In the era of endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms, microsurgical treatment might necessitate the minimization of postoperative discomforts such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and edema. The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hyaluronidase on the reduction of periorbital edema after clipping surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods: From July 2016 to March 2018, the patients who underwent elective surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms were included. A mixture of 4500 IU hyaluronidase was injected subcutaneously on the sectional plane of the scalp incision. The photographs of patients’ faces were obtained on postoperative day 1, 3, and 7. The degree of periorbital edema was judged on the grading system based on the vertical palpebral aperture. The thickness of the scalp, temporalis muscle, and soft tissue was measured on a preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan, and other variables (e.g., intraoperative input and output, serum albumin level) were Results: A total of 60 patients were included in this study, and a hyaluronidase mixture was injected in 30 patients. The periorbital edema tended to resolve in 7 days after surgery, but notable differences between the two groups was observed at day three after surgery in this study. On the ordinal logistic regression analysis on the grade of periorbital edema, hyaluronidase injection is significantly associated with the reduction of periorbital edema throughout the postoperative period. (p value &lt; 0.05)Conclusion: Hyaluronidase injection might be helpful in reducing periorbital edema after surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Correlation Between Aneurysm Dome Direction and Patient Outcomes Following Surgery for Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.

Background Anterior communicating (Acom) artery aneurysms are the most common type of intracranial aneurysms. Despite the enormous advancements in the field of endovascular surgery for intracranial aneurysms, open surgical clipping of aneurysms remains the most durable management of Acom aneurysms. There have been various studies based on the clinical-radiological profile and outcome of open clipping for intracranial aneurysms, but the correlation of the direction of the aneurysm with the surgical outcome remains incompletely defined. Aim To analyze the correlation between the direction of the aneurysm dome and patient outcomes after surgery for ruptured Acom artery aneurysms. Materials and methods CT angiography of the brain was done in all patients pre-operatively as part of the standard treatment protocol. Retrospective data was collected from an inter-departmental computerized database, which included the patient's details, history, investigations, a course in the hospital from admission to discharge, and an operative note by the surgeon. Prospective data was collected from patients with ruptured Acom artery aneurysms. We analyzed the relationship between the direction of the dome of the Acom aneurysm and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables. Results Of the 48 patients who underwent surgery for ruptured aneurysms, 34 (70.8%) were female and 14 (29.2%) were male. Among the 27 cases with anteriorly projecting aneurysms, 11 (40.7%) experienced postoperative complications. Of the five cases with posteriorly projecting aneurysms, two (40%) experienced postoperative complications. One-third of cases of the inferior dome direction and 10% of cases of the superior direction of the dome of aneurysm were also found to have postoperative complications. However, using the chi-square test, the association between postoperative complications and the direction of the aneurysm was determined to be statistically non-significant (p-value = 0.93). Conclusion The findings of our investigation indicate that aneurysms with superior projection exhibit the lowest likelihood of experiencing intraoperative rupture. However, it was seen that the outcome was influenced by dome projection throughout the three-month follow-up. The findings of our study indicate that aneurysms with a superior orientation exhibit the least likelihood of experiencing intraoperative rupture.

Retracted: Application of Virtual Reality Based on 3D-CTA in Intracranial Aneurysm Surgery.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/9913949.].

Hypotension and Bradycardia Following Papaverine Installation During Intracranial Aneurysm Surgery: A Report of Three Cases

Abstract Introduction One of the major complications of intracranial aneurysm surgery is vasospasm. Papaverine is an effective vasodilator that can be instilled directly onto the vessels in the operative field with the aim of preventing intraoperative and postoperative vasospasm. Several case reports of hemodynamic instability in general and of hypotension, in particular, were reported after the use of topical papaverine during aneurysm clipping surgery. Case description Herein, we report three cases of transient profound hypotension and relative bradycardia after intracisternal papaverine usage during ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm clipping surgery. Conclusion Caution should be taken while using papaverine intracisternally during anterior circulation aneurysm clipping, since it may cause several serious complications, including profound hemodynamic instability, particularly when instilling on a fenestrated lamina terminalis.

Utilizing indocyanine green video angiography to bridge intracranial aneurysm treatment gaps in low- and middle-income countries: a mini-review.

Intracranial aneurysms, affecting 2%-5% of the population, pose a significant challenge to neurosurgeons due to their potential to cause subarachnoid haemorrhage and high mortality rates. Intraoperative angiography is necessary for effective surgical planning and indocyanine green video angiography (ICG-VA) has emerged as a useful tool for real-time visualization of aneurysmal blood flow, aiding in better planning for potential blood flow and detection of aneurysm remnants. This mini narrative review explores the application of ICG-VA in intracranial aneurysm surgery. Compared with conventional dye-based angiography, ICG-VA is safer, more effective and more cost-effective. It can assess haemodynamic parameters, cerebral flow during temporary artery occlusion, completeness of clipping and patency of branch vessels. However, implementing ICG-VA in low- and middle-income countries presents challenges such as financial constraints, limited access to training and expertise, patient selection and consent issues. Addressing these obstacles requires capacity-building, training programmes for neurosurgeons and multidisciplinary teams, technology transfer, equipment donations, public-private partnerships, continued research and development, reducing conventional dye usage, reducing ICG wastage, exploring mechanisms to reuse ICG dyes and advocating for increased government funding and healthcare budgets.

Application of virtual and mixed reality for 3D visualization in intracranial aneurysm surgery planning: a systematic review.

Precise preoperative anatomical visualization and understanding of an intracranial aneurysm (IA) are fundamental for surgical planning and increased intraoperative confidence. Application of virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), thus three-dimensional (3D) visualization of IAs could be significant in surgical planning. Authors provide an up-to-date overview of VR and MR applied to IA surgery, with specific focus on tailoring of the surgical treatment. A systematic analysis of the literature was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Pubmed, and Embase were searched to identify studies reporting use of MR and VR 3D visualization in IA surgery during the last 25 years. Type and number of IAs, category of input scan, visualization techniques (screen, glasses or head set), inclusion of haptic feedback, tested population (residents, fellows, attending neurosurgeons), and aim of the study (surgical planning/rehearsal, neurosurgical training, methodological validation) were noted. Twenty-eight studies were included. Eighteen studies (64.3%) applied VR, and 10 (35.7%) used MR. A positive impact on surgical planning was documented by 19 studies (67.9%): 17 studies (60.7%) chose the tailoring of the surgical approach as primary outcome of the analysis. A more precise anatomical visualization and understanding with VR and MR was endorsed by all included studies (100%). Application of VR and MR to perioperative 3D visualization of IAs allowed an improved understanding of the patient-specific anatomy and surgical preparation. This review describes a tendency to utilize mostly VR-platforms, with the primary goals of a more accurate anatomical understanding, surgical planning and rehearsal.

Anesthetic Management of Intraoperative Aneurysm Rupture: A Narrative Review

Intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IOAR) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication that can occur during intracranial aneurysm surgery. Understanding the perioperative risk factor contributing to IOAR may help prevention and better handle if it occurs. The anesthesiologist should be familiar with the management of IOAR to facilitate bleeding control and improve perioperative outcome. There is controversy surrounding the management of IOAR. The main goal of management includes promptly securing for control of bleeding as well as maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion and providing neuroprotection. The purpose of the present article was to review the anesthetic management during IOAR. The authors focused on the hemodynamic and intracranial pressure control for optimizing cerebral perfusion, neuroprotection during temporary arterial occlusion, monitoring of cerebral ischemia, and recent techniques for controlling bleeding. Keywords: Intraoperative aneurysm rupture; Anesthetic management; Intracranial aneurysm; Surgical clipping

Has intraoperative neuromonitoring changed the surgery for unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms? A retrospective comparative study

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) represents one of the available technologies able to assess ischemia and aimed to improve surgical outcome reducing the treatment related morbidity in surgery for intracranial aneurysms. Many studies analyzing the impact of IONM are poised by the heterogeneity bias affecting the cohorts. We report our experience with IONM for surgery of unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm in order to highlight its influence on functional and radiological outcome and surgical strategy. We retrospectively reviewed all MCA unruptured aneurysms treated between January 2013 and June 2021 by our institutional neurovascular team. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of IONM. A total of 153 patients were included in the study, 52 operated on without IONM and 101 with IONM. The groups did not differ preoperatively regarding clinical status and aneurysm characteristics. Patients operated with IONM had better functional outcomes at discharge as well as at follow-up (p= 0.048, p=0.041) due to lower symptomatic ischemia and better radiological outcome due to lower rate of unexpected aneurysmal remnants (p= 0.0173). The introduction of IONM changed the use of temporary clipping (TeC), increasing its average duration (p= 0.01) improving the safety of dissecting and clipping the aneurysm. IONM in surgery for unruptured MCA aneurysm could improve the efficacy and safety of clipping strategy in the way it showed a role in changing the use of TeC and was associated to the reduction of unexpected aneurysmal remnants’ rate and improvement in both short- and long-term patient’s outcome.

Effect of sugammadex on postoperative nausea and vomiting after surgery for intracranial aneurysm

Objective: To investigate the effect of sugammadex on postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV) after intracranial aneurysm surgery. Methods: Data from intracranial aneurysms patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and underwent interventional surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital from January 2020 to March 2021 were prospectively included. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided by 1∶1 into the neostigmine+atropine group (group N) and the sugammadex group (group S). Use an acceleration muscle relaxation monitor for muscle relaxation monitoring, and administer neostigmine+atropine and sugammadex to block residual muscle relaxation drugs after surgery. The incidence rates of PONV and severity, the appearance of anesthesia, and the correlation between PONV and postoperative complications were recorded in both groups during five periods after surgery: 0-0.5 hours (T1),>0.5-2.0 hours(T2),>2.0-6.0 hours (T3),>6.0-12.0 hours (T4) and >12.0-24.0 hours (T5). Group comparisons of quantitative data were performed by the independent sample t-test, and categorical data was performed by the χ2 or rank sum test. Results: A total of 66 patients were included in the study, including 37 males and 29 female, aged (59.3±15.4) years (range: 18 to 77 years). The incidence rates of PONV of 33 patients in group S at different time periods of T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 after surgery were respectively 27.3%(9/33),30.3%(10/33),12.1%(4/33),3.0%(1/33),0(0/33),and the incidence rates of PONV of 33 patients in the group N at different time periods of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 after surgery were respectively 36.4%(12/33),36.4%(12/33),33.3%(11/33),6.1%(2/33) and 0(0/33).The incidence of PONV was lower in the group S only in the T3 period after reversal than in the group N (χ2=4.227, P=0.040).However, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PONV between the two groups of patients in other periods (all P>0.05). The recovery time for spontaneous breathing in patients in group S was (7.7±1.4) minutes, the extubation time was (12.4±5.3) minutes, and the safe exit time for anesthesia recovery was (12.3±3.4) minutes; the N groups were (13.9±2.0) minutes, (18.2±6.0) minutes, and (18.6±5.2) minutes, respectively; three time periods in group S were shorter than those in group N, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The results regarding the occurrence of complications in patients with different levels of PONV at different time intervals after surgery in the two groups were as follows: in the T3 time period of group N, a significant difference was observed only in the occurrence of postoperative complications among patients with different levels of PONV (χ2=24.786, P<0.01). However, in the T4 time period, significant differences were found in the occurrence of postoperative complications among both the same level and different level PONV patients (χ2=15.435, 15.435, both P<0.01). Significant differences were also observed in the occurrence of postoperative complications among the same level and different level PONV patients in both the T3 and T4 time periods of group S (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Sugammadex can be used to reverse muscle relaxation in patients undergoing intracranial aneurysm intervention surgery,and it does not have a significant impact on the incidence of PONV, it can also optimize the quality of anesthesia recovery and reduce the incidence of complications after intracranial aneurysm embolization surgery.

Intracranial Aneurysm "Clip Anchoring": Technical Note.

Clip slippage and displacement during or after intracranial aneurysm surgery is associated with morbidity and can be detrimental. We report the usage of concomitant aneurysm clips and artery clips aiming to avoid this complication in a patient undergoing elective aneurysm surgical clipping.

3D-Printed Head Model in Patient's Education for Micro-Neurosurgical Aneurysm Clipping Procedures

Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and 3D reconstruction from Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) are currently used in clinical consultations for patients diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms; however, they have limitations in helping patients understand the disease and possible treatments. This study investigates the use of a 3D-printed model of the patients' neurosurgical anatomy and vascular pathology as an educational tool in outpatient clinics. A 3D-printed model of a middle cerebral artery aneurysm was created for use during patient consultations to discuss microsurgical treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. In total, 38 patients and 5 neurosurgeons were included in the study. After the consultation, the patients and neurosurgeons received a questionnaire to assess the effectiveness of the 3D-printed model as an educational tool. The 3D model improved the patients' understanding of the diagnosis, the aneurysm's relationship to the parent artery; the treatment process as well as the risks if left untreated. The patients found the 3D model to be an interesting tool (97%). The neurosurgeons were satisfied with the 3D-printed model as a patient encounter tool, they found the model effective during consultation (87%) and better than the conventional education tools used during consultations (97%). Using a 3D model improves communication, enhances the patient's understanding of the pathology and its treatment and potentially facilitates the informed consent process in patients undergoing intracranial aneurysm surgery.

Development and validation of a nomogram for blood transfusion during intracranial aneurysm clamping surgery: a retrospective analysis

PurposeIntraoperative blood transfusion is associated with adverse events. We aimed to establish a machine learning model to predict the probability of intraoperative blood transfusion during intracranial aneurysm surgery.MethodsPatients, who underwent intracranial aneurysm surgery in our hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 were enrolled. Four machine learning models were benchmarked and the best learning model was used to establish the nomogram, before conducting a discriminative assessment.ResultsA total of 375 patients were included for analysis in this model, among whom 108 received an intraoperative blood transfusion during the intracranial aneurysm surgery. The least absolute shrinkage selection operator identified six preoperative relative factors: hemoglobin, platelet, D-dimer, sex, white blood cell, and aneurysm rupture before surgery. Performance evaluation of the classification error demonstrated the following: K-nearest neighbor, 0.2903; logistic regression, 0.2290; ranger, 0.2518; and extremely gradient boosting model, 0.2632. A nomogram based on a logistic regression algorithm was established using the above six parameters. The AUC values of the nomogram were 0.828 (0.775, 0.881) and 0.796 (0.710, 0.882) in the development and validation groups, respectively.ConclusionsMachine learning algorithms present a good performance evaluation of intraoperative blood transfusion. The nomogram established using a logistic regression algorithm showed a good discriminative ability to predict intraoperative blood transfusion during aneurysm surgery.

Necessity of mandatory postoperative intensive care unit management after clipping surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms

ObjectiveMany neurosurgeons routinely perform postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) management after clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). However, whether routine postoperative ICU care is necessary remains a clinical question. Therefore, we investigated which factors acted as risk factors that actually required ICU care after microsurgical clipping of unruptured aneurysms. MethodsWe included a total of 532 patients who underwent clipping surgery for UIA between January 2020 and December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: those who really required ICU care (41 patients, 7.7%) and those who did not (491 patients, 92.3%). A backward stepwise logistic regression model was used to identify factors that were independently associated with ICU care requirement. ResultsThe mean hospital stay duration and the operation time were significantly longer in the ICU requirement group than in the no ICU requirement group (9.9 ± 10.7 vs. 6.3 ± 3.7 days, p = 0.041), (259.9 ± 128.4 vs. 210.5 ± 46.1 min, p = 0.019). The transfusion rate was significantly higher (p = 0.024) in the ICU requirement group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–4.76; p = 0.0195), operation time (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.01; p = 0.0022), and transfusion (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.00–5.51; p = 0.0500) as independent risk factors for requiring ICU care after clipping. ConclusionsPostoperative ICU management may not be mandatory after clipping surgery for UIAs. Our results suggest that postoperative ICU management may be more required in the male sex, patients with longer operation times, and those who received a transfusion.

Risk of intracranial aneurysm recurrence after microsurgical clipping based on 3D digital subtraction angiography.

Current knowledge of recurrence rates after intracranial aneurysm (IA) surgery relies on 2D digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which fails to detect more than 75% of small aneurysm remnants. Accordingly, the discrimination between recurrence and growth of a remnant remains challenging, and actual assessment of recurrence risk of clipped IAs could be inaccurate. The authors report, for the first time, 3D-DSA-based long-term durability and risk factor data of IA recurrence and remnant growth after microsurgical clipping. Prospectively collected data for 305 patients, with a total of 329 clipped IAs that underwent baseline 3D-DSA, were evaluated. The incidence of recurrent IA was described by Kaplan-Meier curves. Risk factors for IA recurrence were analyzed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models. The overall observed proportion of IA recurrence after clipping was 2.7% (9 of 329 IAs) at a mean follow-up of 46 months (0.7% per year). While completely obliterated IAs did not recur during follow-up, incompletely clipped aneurysms (76 of 329) demonstrated remnant growth in 11.8% (3.4% per year). Young age and large initial IA size significantly increased the risk of IA recurrence. The findings support those in previous studies that hypothesized that completely clipped IAs have an extremely low risk of recurrence. Conversely, the results highlight the significant risk posed by incompletely clipped IAs. Young patients with initial large IAs and incomplete obliteration have an especially high risk for IA recurrence and therefore should be monitored more closely.

Enhance Safety in Aneurysm Surgery: Strategies for Prevention of Intraoperative Vascular Complications.

Complications during surgery for intracranial aneurysms can be devastating. Notorious pitfalls include premature rupture, parent vessel occlusion, local cerebral injury and brain contusion, and incomplete neck obliteration. These unfavorable intraoperative events can result in major neurological deficits with permanent morbidity and even mortality. Herein, the author highlights the relevant surgical strategies used in his daily practice of aneurysm surgery (e.g., aneurysm clipping with adenosine-induced temporary cardiac arrest), application of which may help prevent vascular complications and enhance surgical safety through reduction of the associated risks, thus allowing improvement of postoperative outcomes. Overall, all described methods and techniques should be considered as small pieces in the complex puzzle of prevention of vascular complications during aneurysm surgery.

Early Career Bypass surgery for intracranial aneurysms in the endovascular era: A case series

Early Career Bypass surgery for intracranial aneurysms in the endovascular era: A case series

Relevance of Routine Postoperative CT Scans Following Aneurysm Clipping—A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis of 423 Cases

Postoperative head computed tomography (POCT) is routinely performed in numerous medical institutions, mainly to identify possible postsurgical complications. This study sought to assess the clinical appropriateness of POCT in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients after ruptured or unruptured aneurysm clipping. This is a retrospective multicenter study involving microsurgical procedures of ruptured (RA) and unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UA) surgeries performed in the Centers associated with the Pomeranian Department of the Polish Society of Neurosurgeons. A database of surgical procedures of intracranial aneurysms from 2017 to 2020 was created. Only patients after a CT scan within 24 h were included. A total of 423 cases met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. Age was the only significant factor associated with postoperative blood occurrence on POCT. A total of 37 (8.75%) cases of deterioration within 24 h with urgent POCT were noted, 3 (8.1%) required recraniotomy. The highest number necessary to predict (NNP) one recraniotomy based on patient deterioration was 50 in the RA group. We do not recommend POCTs in asymptomatic patients after planned clipping. New symptom onset requires radiological evaluation. Simultaneous practice of POCT after ruptured aneurysm treatment within 24 h is recommended.