Microclip haemostasis for surgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Technical note.

The authors describe newly designed microclips and their utility in obtaining haemostasis during the surgical resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. The microclips are particularly well-suited for controlling bleeding from small fragile vessels often encountered on the periphery of large arteriovenous malformations during the final stages of a surgical procedure. Histological examination of these vessels revealed very thin dilated walls without elastic layers, causing easy rupture. Hence, haemostasis using conventional means, such as bipolar coagulators, can be extremely difficult. We have used microclips on such vessels in 14 patients with arteriovenous malformations and controlled bleeding successfully.