A brain aneurysm is a weakened, ballooned area in the wall of a brain artery. If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life threatening type of bleeding that requires emergency treatment. Even unruptured aneurysms may warrant treatment if they are large, growing, or located in a high risk area.
Surgical clipping involves placing a small titanium clip across the neck of the aneurysm to stop blood from flowing into the weakened area. This permanently seals the aneurysm while preserving normal blood flow through the parent artery.
How the Procedure Works
Dr. Waldron performs aneurysm clipping through a craniotomy using an operative microscope and microsurgical instruments. Intraoperative tools such as micro Doppler ultrasonography and indocyanine green video angiography verify that the clip is properly positioned and blood flow is preserved.
- Microsurgical exposure through a tailored craniotomy
- Precise clip placement at the aneurysm neck
- Intraoperative verification of clip position and blood flow
- Preservation of the parent artery and surrounding branches
What Recovery Looks Like
For unruptured aneurysms, hospital stays are typically three to five days. Most patients return to light activities within two to four weeks. For ruptured aneurysms, recovery is more complex and depends on the severity of the initial hemorrhage.