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Surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in a low‐volume neurosurgical unit
Author(s) -
Horn M.,
Morgan M. K.,
Ingebrigtsen T.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2004.00297.x
Subject(s) - medicine , neurosurgery , glasgow outcome scale , surgery , modified rankin scale , complication , aneurysm , glasgow coma scale , ischemic stroke , ischemia , cardiology
Objectives – To evaluate outcomes after surgical treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in a low‐volume neurosurgical unit. Material and methods – Consecutive patients operated during the years 1988–98 at the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of North Norway, were studied retrospectively. Procedure‐related complications were registered. The modified Rankin Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale, Extended version (GOS‐E), were used for assessment of outcome. Results – Thirty‐six aneurysms were repaired in 32 patients during 34 surgical procedures. Surgery‐related central nervous system complications occurred in eight (25%) patients. The complication rate was 35% for the first 17 procedures, and 12% for the last 17. The latter group of procedures were performed during a period of 3 years, whereas the former group was spread over a period of 8 years. A favourable outcome (GOS‐E score 6–8) was reached in 27 (84%) patients. Conclusion – Decision‐making in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms must be based on knowledge about institution‐specific complication rates, preferably followed on a prospective basis.