Who is a candidate?

The choice of aneurysm treatment (observation, surgical clipping or bypass, or endovascular coiling) must be weighed against the risk of rupture and the overall health of the patient. Because clipping involves the use of anesthesia and surgically entering the skull, patients with other health conditions or who are in poor health may be treated with observation or coiling.

Clipping may be an effective treatment for the following:

Ruptured aneurysms burst open and release blood into the space between the brain and skull, called a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The risk of repeated bleeding is 35% within the first 14 days after the first bleed. So, timing of surgery is important – usually within 72 hours of the first bleed.

Unruptured aneurysms may not cause symptoms and are typically detected during routine testing for another condition. The risk of aneurysm rupture is about 1% per year but may be higher or lower depending on the size and location of the aneurysm. However, when rupture occurs, the risk of death is 40%, and the risk of disability is 80%.

The surgical decision

The treatment decision for observation, surgical clipping or bypass, or endovascular coiling or flow diversion largely depends on the aneurysm’s size, location, and neck geometry. The less invasive nature of coiling is likely to be favored in patients who are older, are in poor health, have serious medical conditions, or have aneurysms in certain locations. In patients younger than 40 years of age, the difference in the safety between coiling versus clipping is small. Therefore, the better long-term protection from bleeding may give patients with clipped aneurysms an advantage in life expectancy.

Comparing the long-term results of coiling versus clipping of aneurysms is an area of ongoing study. Clipping has proven its long-term effectiveness over several decades. Coiling is a relatively new technique (since 1990s) and its long-term protection against rebleeding is not known. The International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) explored this topic over a period of years (1994-2007) [1,2]. But because the study was limited to ruptured aneurysms and included a very select group of patients, its results cannot be applied to all aneurysm patients. Therefore, the best treatment option remains highly individualized. Discuss with your doctor the technique most appropriate for your specific case.

Who performs the procedure?

Surgical clipping is performed by a neurosurgeon. Many neurosurgeons have specialized training in cerebrovascular surgery. Ask your surgeon about their training, especially if your case is complex.

What happens before surgery?

Preparation before surgery differs if you are brought to the emergency room with a ruptured aneurysm or if you are considering clipping for an unruptured aneurysm.

A ruptured aneurysm is life threatening – you may be taken immediately to the operating room after the doctors have located the aneurysm and your blood pressure is stabilized. To decrease blood pressure doctors may use medication, hyperventilation on a breathing machine, or sedation. An arterial pressure (AP) line may be inserted into your arm to monitor blood pressure. Visits with your loved one may be restricted in order to create a calm environment with little stimulation.

If you have an unruptured aneurysm, you will be scheduled for presurgical tests (e.g., blood test, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray) several days before surgery. In the doctors office you will fill out paper work and sign consent forms so that your surgeon knows your medical history (i.e., allergies, medicines, anesthesia reactions, previous surgeries). You should stop taking all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (Naproxen, Advil, etc.) and aspirin one week before surgery.

Patients are admitted to the hospital the morning of the procedure. No food or drink is permitted past midnight the night before surgery. An intravenous (IV) line is placed in your arm. An anesthesiologist will explain the effects of anesthesia and its risks.

What happens after surgery?

After surgery you’ll be taken to the recovery room, where vital signs are monitored as you awake from anesthesia. Then you’ll be transferred to the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU) for observation and monitoring. Pain medication will be given as needed. You may experience nausea and headache after surgery; medication can control these symptoms.

After 24 to 48 hours, unruptured aneurysm patients are usually transferred to the neurological floor. Monitoring will continue as you increase your activity level. In a few days you’ll be released from the hospital and given discharge instructions.

Ruptured aneurysm patients stay in the NSICU for 14 to 21 days and are monitored for signs of vasospasm, which is a narrowing (spasm) of an artery that may occur 3-14 days following a SAH. Signs of vasospasm include arm or leg weakness, confusion, sleepiness, or restlessness (see SAH).

What are the risks?

No surgery is without risk. General complications related to brain surgery include infection, allergic reactions to anesthesia, stroke, seizure, and swelling of the brain. Complications specifically related to aneurysm clipping include vasospasm, stroke, seizure, bleeding, and an imperfectly placed clip, which may not completely block off the aneurysm or blocks a normal artery unintentionally.

Several studies have suggested that memory loss and cognitive disability is more common after craniotomy for aneurysm clipping than after endovascular coiling, especially in patients over 50.

What are the results?

Aneurysms that are completely clipped have an extremely low risk of regrowth. However, if the aneurysm has been partially clipped, patients need to have periodic angiograms to make sure the aneurysm is not growing. Ask your neurosurgeon about the need for radiologic follow-up.

Recovery

Aneurysm patients may suffer short-term and/or long-term deficits as a result of a rupture or treatment. Some of these deficits may disappear over time with healing and therapy. For ruptured aneurysms, the recovery process may take months or years to understand the deficits you incurred and regain function.

Today most aneurysm clips are made of titanium and are not detected by security gates. However, it is very important to know if your clip is MRI compatible before undergoing an MRI scan. You must check your clip lot number with the manufacturer. The clip lot number is obtainable from the operative notes at the hospital where you underwent surgery.