High flow extracranial to intracranial vascular bypass procedure for giant aneurysms: indications, surgical technique, complications and outcome.

Abstract

High flow extracranial-intracranial (hfEC-IC) vascular bypass remains an important surgical technique in selected patients. For example, in those with giant aneurysms where the natural history of the condition is poor, and direct surgical approaches are recognised as excessively hazardous. hfEC-IC also allows for major carotid vessel occlusion in the treatment of skull base tumours which would otherwise be untreatable. We describe the indications, techniques, complications, and outcomes of this procedure in an era where few neurosurgeons are exposed to high volume vascular neurosurgery, and fewer still are trained to perform hfEC-IC. We emphasise the need for a stereo-typed and meticulous technique, highlighting key points at each stage of the operation, to ensure graft survival and minimal chances of morbidity.