title: Superficial temporal artery to proximal posterior cerebral artery bypass through the anterior temporal approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The superficial temporal artery (STA) to proximal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) (P2 segment) bypass is one of the most difficult procedures to perform because the proximal PCA is located deep and high within the ambient cistern. STA to proximal PCA bypass is usually performed through a subtemporal approach or posterior transpetrosal approach, and rarely through a transsylvian approach. The aim of this study was to describe the operative technique of STA to proximal PCA bypass through a modified transsylvian approach (anterior temporal approach).
  
  
  METHODS
  STA to proximal PCA bypass was performed through an anterior temporal approach in three patients with intracranial aneurysm. We describe the details of the surgical technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The STA was successfully anastomosed to the proximal PCA in all cases. One patient suffered hemiparesis and aphasia due to infarction in the anterior thalamoperforating artery territory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STA to proximal PCA bypass can be performed through an anterior temporal approach in selected patients. We recommend that every precaution, including complete hemostasis, placement of cellulose sponges beneath the recipient artery to elevate the site of the anastomosis, and placement of a continuous drainage tube at the bottom of the operative field to avoid blood contamination during the anastomosis, should be taken to shorten the temporary occlusion time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Rokuya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tanikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuboi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Kosumo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Junpei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Nakao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshikane
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Teishinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamiyama
keywords: Anterior temporal approach; bypass; posterior cerebral artery; superficial temporal artery; transsylvian approach