Direct operation on intracranial aneurysms within 48 hours of subarachnoid haemorrhage

CT findings from 137 cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysm, admitted to our department between 1977 to 1980, were graded from I to V. Comparisons were then made of the morbidity and mortality rates due to vasospasms between the 56 cases operated on within 48 hours of the onset of haemorrhage and the 52 cases operated on three or more days afterwards. It was found that early operations performed within 48 hours were remarkably successful in preventing cerebral vasospasm. The mortality rate for these early operations was 7.1 %, compared to that of 17.4 % for patients who waited longer for operations. (author)