Surgical management of complex vascular diseases including giant carotid aneurysm, ruptured internal carotid artery anterior wall aneurysms, and carotid cavernous fistulae remains controversial, with direct, reconstructive, or endovascular surgery with parent artery preservation still presenting difficulties. Radial artery grafts (RAGs) have been used in the treatment of complex vascular lesions.
We examined perioperative complications and the surgical technique to prevent complications after RAGs for management of these difficult lesions. We retrospectively investigated 81 consecutive patients (65 females; 17 to 78 years) treated between September 1997 and January 2012, in whom RAGs were used, for postoperative outcomes and complications. Postoperative complications including epidural hematoma, symptomatic seizures, and cranial nerve palsy were confirmed.
Although it cannot be stated that the frequency of perioperative temporary complications of RAGs was low, the final outcomes were favorable. Even in complex vascular diseases, RAGs would appear to be a useful and safe treatment.
