Supraorbital Keyhole Approach for Anterior Circulation Aneurysms: An Institutional Experience

ABSTRACT

Background: Pterional approach is most accepted and most common approach for clipping of intracranial anterior circulationaneurysms. This approach imparts good exposure of anterior and middle skull base. However the Pterional approach haspotential adverse effects, such as long operative time, excessive blood loss, long hospital stay, and temporal muscle atrophy.Supraorbital keyhole via eyebrow incision is a minimal invasive approach for anterior circulation aneurysm surgery. This approachhas advantages of less operative time, less blood loss, less brain retraction, short hospital stay and no temporal muscle atrophy.Objective: Objective of this study to emphasize the advantages and limitations of supra orbital key hole approach for anteriorcirculation aneurysm surgery based on our institutional experience.Material and Methods: Between September 2017 and February 2020, total 16 patients with anterior circulation aneurysmswere operated by suprorbital keyhole craniotomy approach. All patients included were ≥18 years of age with Subarachnoidhemorrhage grade 1, grade 2, grade 3 on modified fischer scale. Intra operative and postoperative parameter noted andanalyzed over a period of 3 months follow up.Results: There were good cosmetic results with less approach related complications. We achieved good recovery (4/5) onGlasgow outcome scale score 4 or 5 were achieved in 87.5% of the patients in follow period of 3 months.Conclusion: Supra orbital key hole approach is not a standard approach for all kind of anterior circulation aneurysms, it can beapplied for small sized aneurysms with SAH grade up to 3 on modified fischer scale. An thorough pre-op work up, experience,skilled hand are prerequisites for supra orbital keyhole approach in aneurysm surgery. Selection of this approach should bebased on aneurysms morphology, size of aneurysm, grade of SAH, brain edema, and the surgeon’s experience.