Direct repair of a blisterlike aneurysm on the internal carotid artery with vascular closure staple clips. Technical note.

Vascular closure staple clips made of titanium were originally developed for microvascular anastomosis. Clinical applications for these clips include arteriotomy closure for carotid endarterectomy, extracranial-intracranial bypass, and dural closure. This is the first report in which vascular closure staple clips have been used successfully for direct repair of a tear on the internal carotid artery (ICA). This report involves a 65-year-old man who presented with sudden onset of headache. Admission computerized tomography scans demonstrated a diffuse and thick subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal cisterns. Cerebral angiograms demonstrated a broad-based, small bulge on the superomedial wall of the left ICA. Intraoperatively, an extremely thin-walled aneurysm was seen on the segment of the ICA at the C-2 vertebral level. The aneurysm ruptured abruptly, although no surgical manipulation was being performed on the aneurysm itself. After temporary clips were applied on the vessel, a large tear of the ICA was repaired with vascular closure staple clips. Reconstruction with the vascular closure staple clips required only a short period of temporary occlusion of the ICA. Postoperative angiograms revealed reduction of the aneurysm bulge and good patency of the ICA. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient has been free of symptoms. The vascular closure staple clipping procedure is useful for urgent repair of an aneurysm tear. This method is a new treatment option for these fragile aneurysms in cases in which other options, such as encircling clips or bypass procedures, may have drawbacks or be impossible.