Prognostic meaning of temporary clipping in patients with intracranial aneurysm

The prognostic meaning of the routine use of the methods of temporary clipping of the afferent vessel in patients with intracranial aneurysm (Grading 0-III) was the aim of the analysis in this study. In the period 1 January, 1991-31 December 1997, 304 patients underwent surgery for non-giant intracranial aneurysm and a follow-up angiography. 157 patients were operated by routinely using the temporary clipping of the afferent vessel, whereas in 147 patients the surgical procedure was performed by traditional methods. The statistical analysis showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in terms of risk of surgical complications in the patients who underwent surgery with the temporary clip method compared to those operated with the traditional method, with a relative risk of such complications about three times greater in the latter. The routine use of temporary clipping offers, therefore, the possibility of a significant improvement of the surgical results, not influenced by a further involvement for the structure, due to the short application time.