Transverse cervical artery bypass pedicle for treatment of common carotid artery occlusion: new adjunct for revascularization of the internal carotid artery domain.
OBJECTIVE
We present two cases of common carotid artery occlusion that were treated by vascular reconstruction using the transverse cervical artery.


METHODS
Two patients with common carotid artery occlusion presented with transient ischemic attacks resulting from decreased cerebral blood flow on the affected side. Both patients underwent vascular reconstruction using the transverse cervical artery. The transverse cervical artery was anastomosed to the ipsilateral external carotid artery at its origin, as a pedicle graft. A superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis was then performed.


RESULTS
The postoperative courses were uneventful. The transverse cervical artery bypass grafts were patent, and cerebral blood flow increased to normal levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Transverse cervical artery grafting provides a less tedious alternative to saphenous vein interposition grafting for revascularization of the internal carotid artery domain.
Kobayashi
T
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
Houkin
K
K
Ito
F
F
Kohama
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001158:Arteries / Q000637:transplantation; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002548:Cerebral Revascularization / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome