Brain aneurysm repair - Overview

Definition of Brain aneurysm repair:

Brain aneurysm repair is a surgical procedure to correct an aneurysm, a weak area in the wall of a blood vessel that causes the blood vessel to bulge or balloon out. It can leak blood and cause a stroke or bleeding into an area around the brain (also called a subarachnoid hemorrhage).

See also: Aneurysm in the brain

Description:

You and your doctor will decide the best way to perform surgery on your aneurysm. There are two common methods used to repair an aneurysm:

• Clipping is the most common way to repair an aneurysm. This is done during an open craniotomy. See also: Brain surgery (craniotomy)
• Endovascular repair, most often using a "coil" or coiling, is a less invasive way to treat some aneurysms.

During aneurysm clipping:

• You are given general anesthesia and a breathing tube.
• Your scalp, skull, and the coverings of the brain are opened up.
• A metal clip is placed at the base of the aneurysm to prevent it from breaking open (rupturing).

During endovascular repair of an aneurysm:

• The procedure is usually done in the radiology section of the hospital.
• You may have general anesthesia and a breathing tube. Or, you may be given medication to relax you, but not enough to put you to sleep.
• A catheter is guided through a small cut in your groin to an artery and then to the small blood vessels in your brain where the aneurysm is.
• Thin metal wires are put into the aneurysm. They then coil up into a mesh ball. Blood clots that form around this coil prevent the aneurysm from breaking open and bleeding.
• During and right after this procedure, you may be given a blood thinner called heparin.

Why the Procedure Is Performed:

If an aneurysm in the brain ruptures, it is an emergency that needs medical treatment, and often surgery. Endovascular repair is more often used when this happens.

A person may have an aneurysm but have no symptoms. This kind of aneurysm may be found when an MRI or CT scan of the brain is done for another reason.

• Not all aneurysms need to be treated right away. Those that are very small (less than 3 mm) are less likely to break open.
• Your doctor will help you decide whether it is safer to have surgery to block off the aneurysm before it can break open (rupture).