Surgical clipping a brain aneurysm

NEUROSURGICAL CLIPPING

 

Using a metal spring clip to isolate a swelling in a weak part of an artery supplying the brain — the swelling will collapse and any risk of bleeding will be removed

How is a brain aneurysm treated?

Most aneurysms in the brain are not symptomatic unless they bleed, but some are identified on brain scans performed for unrelated problems. If you are found to have an aneurysm in this way, treatment is not always needed, but if you have suffered a bleed it is normally recommended.

Most aneurysms are now treated with minimally invasive techniques performed via an injection into the main artery in the leg (femoral artery). Platinum coils may be injected into the aneurysm via the artery from which it arises, and sometimes an artificial sleeve (stent) is used to exclude the aneurysm from the circulation.

If open surgery is considered to be the best treatment, this is usually by placing a titanium metal spring clip across the aneurysm ‘neck’ where it arises from the artery. This prevents blood from entering into the aneurysm sac so that it can no longer pose a risk for bleeding. Once the aneurysm is clipped it will shrink and scar over. The clip is left permanently in place. As these clips are now all made of non-magnetic material (titanium), MRI scans will still be possible if needed in the future.

Need to know

You'll be put under general anaesthetic and made ready for surgery. The head is made secure so that it doesn't move during surgery. Depending on the location of your aneurysm, a cut is made either behind the hairline or on the back of the head. A small portion of the hair is usually shaved along the line of the cut. A section of the skull is removed using a specialised drill. This gives access to the lining over the brain, which is then opened to expose the brain surface. The surgeon approaches the aneurysm in the gap between the skull and the brain and not through brain tissue. It is clipped with a metal clip which looks similar in shape to a clothes peg.

Your neurosurgeon will explain the clipping procedure to you and answer any questions you might have.

A clipping of a brain aneurysm is carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you'll be asleep. As such, your consultant or nurse specialist will let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking before surgery. You may also be asked to attend a nurse-led pre-assessment clinic.

Aneurysm surgery is complex and there are potential risks as well as benefits. Your consultant will explain these to you.

After the surgery, you'll be transferred to our recovery ward, where you’ll be looked after by a specialist team. Your neurosurgeon will explain your recovery time to you and when you can expect to get back to your usual routine.

Our Surgical clipping a brain aneurysm consultants

Mr Mansoor Foroughi

Mr Mansoor Foroughi

Neurosurgery

Dr Alidz Pambakian

Dr Alidz Pambakian

Neurology

Dr Neil Rane

Dr Neil Rane

Radiology

Dr. Ben Turner

Dr. Ben Turner

Neurology

Our Surgical clipping a brain aneurysm locations

The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital

The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Chelsea Outpatients

Chelsea Outpatients

280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.