Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Posterior Circulation

Thirty-four patients with vertebrobasilar Insufficiency (VBI) were evaluated between 1974 and 1982. Twenty-two presented with transient VBI and 12 with residual strokes. The frequency of preoperative symptoms varied from once or twice a month to multiple daily events. Four patients with high-grade vertebral stenosis were treated by local vertebral endarterectomy at the C1 level. Seven patients underwent an anastomosis of the occipital artery to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery for distal vertebral basilar junction stenosis or occlusion. Three patients underwent anastomosis of the occipital artery to the anterior inferior cerebellar artery for vertebral basilar junction occlusion. Twenty patients underwent anastomosis of the superficial temporal to the superior cerebellar artery for distal vertebrobasilar junction stenosis or occlusion or midbasilar occlusive lesions. In 26 of 27 patients (95%), the anastomoses were patent. Two patients died, one from congestive heart failure and one from a brain stem infarct. Immediate complications included meningitis, CSF leaks, temporal lobe swelling, and seizures. Although the early surgical morbidity is high, it is only transient. Twenty-six patients have had complete resolution of their symptoms, and three have minor residual dizziness. Long-term morbidity has been limited to a patient with residual Wallenberg's syndrome secondary to the surgical occlusion of the vertebral artery, a patient who remained in a locked-in syndrome as before surgery, and a patient who developed Brown-Séquard syndrome. No further VBI symptoms occurred in one patient who died 4 years after surgery of a myocardial infarction. We believe the surgical approach to the vertebrobasilar area is feasible and can lead to the ultimate recovery of most patients.