Same day embolisation followed by microsurgical resection of brain arteriovenous malformations: a single centre early experience

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to report our experience of treating cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in adults with pre-operative embolisation and microsurgical resection on the same day during a single anaesthetic at a single centre between April 2016 and December 2018. We included both elective AVM and AVM that had bled acutely.Methods We retrospectively analysed data from patients with cerebral AVMs who underwent embolisation followed by microsurgical resection on the same day at a single neurosurgical centre.Primary endpoints included Total procedure time (embolisation and microsurgical resection), procedure finish time, intra-operative blood loss, degree of nidus obliteration on postoperative angiography, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, total stay at the neurosurgical centre and modified Rankin Score (pre- and post-procedure).Results •Nineteen patients underwent same-day pre-operative embolisation and microsurgical resection over the 32-month period. The average patient age was 40 years (range 19–66 years). One patient had undergone a prior attempt at embolisation and one patient previously had sterotactic radiosurgery (STRS). •Thirteen of the AVM were in the dominant hemisphere and six in the non-dominant hemisphere. Sixteen AVM were located supratentorially and three were in the posterior fossa. Spetzler-Martin grades included 4 grade 1, 10 grade 2, 4 grade 3 and 1 grade 4. •The average blood loss intra-operatively was 289 mls. •The average list finish time was 19:56 (range 15:10–00:00). •Seventeen patients had 100% nidus obliteration on post-operative digital subtraction angiography, one patient had a small remnant and was referred to STRS and one patient died in the ICU post operatively.Conclusion Overall, the authors believe same-day embolisation and microsurgical resection represents a safe treatment strategy. The technique minimises hemorrhagic complications from delayed venous occlusion and avoids multiple anaesthetics and hospital admissions.