title: Intraoperative stenting for brachiocephalic and carotid artery stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endovascular stenting is an alternative treatment for brachiocephalic artery stenosis, replacing standard surgical approaches such as carotid endarterectomy. However, a percutaneous approach may be difficult because various conditions such as severe arteriosclerosis of iliac or femoral arteries and aortic disease. We report our experience with intraoperative stenting for these lesions, presenting indications, strategy, and results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients underwent intraoperative stent placement via an open cervical approach. The sites of lesions included 1 innominate artery, 1 common carotid artery, and 5 cervical carotid arteries. Stenting was performed with a sheath introducer placed through a surgically exposed common carotid artery via a small skin incision or common carotid artery exposed for simultaneously performed carotid endarterectomy. Distal protection was used in 6 patients with an endovascular protective balloon or external clamping with forceps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sufficient dilation of stenosis was obtained in all cases. No complications such as transient ischemic attack, cerebral infarction, and hyperperfusion were encountered. Wound hematoma was not experienced despite perioperative antiplatelet therapy and heparinization during the procedure. Angiographic follow-up over 1 year showed no restenosis in 5 available patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraoperative stenting may be an excellent alternative for patients in whom both direct surgical approach and standard percutaneous endovascular approach are not possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kokura Memorial Hospital, Fukuoka 802-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakahara
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higashi
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwamuro
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakagaki
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takezawa
authors.forename: Daiki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taha
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000601:surgery; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000601:surgery*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents