High Cervical Carotid Endarterectomy–Outcome Analysis

Objective Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for high cervical internal carotid artery stenosis is considered to be technically demanding because of the difficulty in dissecting the distal end. We report the surgical technique and outcome analysis of CEA for high cervical lesions. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the records of 98 patients treated by CEA from December 2013 to June 2018. The plaque positions rostral to the C2 vertebral level was defined as the high cervical lesions (n = 34). The surgical technique is to successfully expose the distal end, as follows: 1) extend the skin incision; 2) expose the great auricular nerve maximally; 3) dissect between the SCM and parotid gland fascia; 4) resect the internal deep cervical lymph nodes; and 5) retract the digastric muscle, hypoglossal nerve, and occipital artery. Results There were 8 cases (high cervical group, 4 cases; non-high cervical group, 4 cases) of postoperative diffusion-weighted imaging high signal and 6 cases (high cervical group, 3 cases; non-high cervical group, 3 cases) of symptomatic ischemic lesion. Four cases belonged to the technique-related cerebral infarction group and 4 cases to the perioperative-related cerebral infarction (PRCI) group. High cervical lesion is not considered to be a risk factor for either PRCI (P = 0.610) or technique-related cerebral infarction (P = 0.610). The difference of the diastolic blood pressure between the preoperative period and the second postoperative day showed a risk factor of PRCI (P = 0.033). Conclusions The surgical outcomes for high cervical lesions are equivalent to that of non-high cervical lesions. Excessive blood pressure management from the early postoperative days is a risk of PRCI.Peer reviewe

Retrograde Suction Decompression for Clip Occlusion of Internal Carotid Artery Communicating Segment Aneurysms

BACKGROUND: Retrograde suction decompression (RSD) can achieve proximal parent vessel control, improve aneurysm neck visualization, and allow parent vessel reconstruction for direct clipping of internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. The aim of the present study was to describe the technique and surgical results of RSD for direct clipping of ICA communicating segment (C1) aneurysms. METHODS: The clinical data and treatment summaries of 20 patients who underwent RSD-assisted clipping of ICA C1 aneurysms were retrospectively reviewed. Pre- and postoperative three-or four-dimensional computed tomography angiograms, postoperative magnetic resonance images, surgical notes, operative complications, and outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: All patients except one harbored unruptured C1 aneurysms. Extracranial-intracranial graft bypass using the radial artery was performed in five patients. Fifteen patients required temporary clipping of the posterior communicating artery for further reduction of blood back-flow into the aneurysm. All aneurysms were successfully clipped and postoperative three-or four-dimensional computed tomography angiography revealed no major branch occlusion or residual aneurysm. At the 6-month follow-up examination, 19 patients had a good outcome and 1 patient had poor outcome associated with anterior choroidal artery ischemia. No death had occurred at 6-month follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: The RSD technique is a useful procedure to achieve proximal vascular control, to soften and shrinkage the aneurysm sac, and to provide a wide and clean operative field allowing safe clip placement. The RSD technique requires special attention to the relationship between the perforators and the aneurysm, and close cooperation between the surgeon and the assistant.Peer reviewe