Microsurgical treatment of aneurysms of posterior circulation

Objective: To summarize surgical strategies and skills against aneurysms of posterior circulation. Methods: Twenty-one cases of posterior circulation aneurysms who had undergone microsurgery between March 2008 and March 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Two of these cases had their basilar artery aneurysms clipped via the pterion approach and five through the subtemporal approach. Five posterior cerebral artery aneurysms were clipped via the subtemporal approach, two anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms were clipped via the retrosigmoid approach, three posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms were clipped through the far lateral approach, and two vertebral artery aneurysms were clipped similarly approach. Results: All the aneurysms were clipped successfully. According to Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), the curative effect was poor in 3 cases(GOS 2-3 points), good in 16 cases (GOS 4-5 points) and 2 patients died(GOS l point). Conclusion: Aneurysms of posterior circulation can be treated through microsurgery. Proper surgical strategies, operative approach and delicate surgical skills are critical to the success of surgeries and curative effects. (authors)