CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
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.
Surgical clipping a brain aneurysm Consultants
Mr Mansoor Foroughi
Neurosurgery
Dr Alidz Pambakian
Neurology
Dr Neil Rane
Radiology
Dr. Ben Turner
Neurology
Our Surgical clipping a brain aneurysm locations
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Patient stories
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Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.