Wrap-clipping with polytetrafluoroethylene for ruptured blisterlike aneurysms of the internal carotid artery

Abstract

✓ A technique combining wrapping and clip occlusion of aneurysms by using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for treatment of ruptured blisterlike aneurysms of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) is described. The diameter of the abnormal arterial lesion along the long axis of the ICA and the distance between the origin of the ophthalmic artery and the origin of the posterior communicating artery (PCoA), or the origin of the PCoA and the origin of the anterior choroidal artery are measured intraoperatively; a strip of PTFE membrane is then trimmed with scissors to match this diameter and distance. After temporarily occluding the cervical ICA, the intracranial ICA that includes the lesion is wrapped with the strip of PTFE, and one or more aneurysm clips are applied parallel to the ICA. This procedure was successfully accomplished in six patients, all of whom had an uneventful postoperative course with no recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage during the follow-up period. “Wrap-clipping” using PTFE is a useful procedure for management of ruptured blisterlike aneurysms of the ICA.