Horizontal contralateral approach for the distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm: technical note.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The authors present a modified interhemispheric approach for the distal ACA aneurysm to resolve several problems including the narrow surgical corridor, the difficulty of proximal control, and the aneurysmal projection toward the surgeon. METHODS: We refined the positions of the patient's head and the surgeon. The patient's head is fixed with flexion and tilted to the contralateral side. The surgeon sits on the contralateral side of the patient and not on the cranial side. RESULTS: The present approach allows the surgeon to comfortably use both hands in the horizontal operative filed, to obtain a minimum retraction of the brain, and to easily secure the proximal artery. CONCLUSIONS: This modified interhemispheric approach is useful for a patient with the distal ACA aneurysm.