Superficial temporal artery to proximal middle cerebral artery anastomosis: clinical and angiographic long term results.

Anastomosis of the superficial temporal artery (STA) with a proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) has been proposed as a new cerebral revascularization technique alternative to the conventional bypass on the cortical surface. We introduced this procedure in our surgical practice in 1982 for patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms not suitable for direct repair in whom occlusion of the ICA is considered necessary. One patient died because a conventional STA-MCA bypass did not prevent a major stroke caused by a therapeutic ICA occlusion. We are reporting our surgical technique and the immediate and long term clinical and angiographic results in five cases operated on during the period June 19, 1982, through January 19, 1983. The early and late patency rates were good. No neurological complications were observed after the bypass procedure or during a 3-year follow-up period. In our opinion, the use of proximal segments of the MCA as recipient arteries for supratentorial revascularization is a good alternative to the use of cortical surface arteries and, in selected cases, could be the first choice technique.