Aneurysm Coiling vs Clipping

Choosing the Right Treatment Approach

May 15th, 2024 by Reza J. Karimi, MD and Aryan Ali, MD and Daniel E. Walzman, MD

Nearly all patients with brain aneurysms, also known as cerebral aneurysms, can be safely and effectively treated with the latest techniques. There are a variety of brain aneurysm treatment options that your neurosurgeon will discuss with you. Due to the complexity of brain aneurysms, treatments should be uniquely tailored to each individual. There are several factors that will help determine how and whether to treat an aneurysm.

Treating a brain aneurysm may require a surgical procedure (clipping) or endovascular treatment (coiling, stenting or flow diversion). For patients with unruptured aneurysms, it is best to talk to an experienced vascular neurosurgeon to discuss possible treatment options.

Surgical Treatments for Ruptured Brain Aneurysms

There are two common surgical treatment options for repairing a ruptured brain aneurysm – surgical clipping and endovascular coiling. Both of these procedures come with potential risks and benefits to patients. The information below may be helpful in learning about which procedure may be right for you, surgical clipping or endovascular coiling.

Surgical Clipping to treat a Brain Aneurysm

Aneurysm clipping is a procedure where a neurosurgeon uses a metal surgical clip to close off an aneurysm in the brain. The neurosurgeon makes a small opening on the skull to reach the brain, and a microscope is used to perform the detailed procedure. During this time, the neurosurgeon will utilize precision techniques to avoid harming nerves, blood vessels or brain tissue.

The surgical clipping procedure will isolate the aneurysm from the normal arteries, which will effectively cut off blood flow from the artery to the aneurysm.

How effective is Aneurysm Clipping

Surgical clipping can be very effective. Typically, aneurysms that are clipped will not return. For unruptured aneurysms, the clipping procedure typically will provide an effective treatment option. For ruptured aneurysms, clipping can stop bleeding, while also preventing future bleeding in the brain.

Recovering from Aneurysm Clipping

Typical recovery time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks, following a brief hospital stay. However, each patient is unique and individual recovery time should be discussed with a physician.

Endovascular treatment for Brain Aneurysms

Endovascular coiling, stenting or flow diversion are less invasive treatments that involve accessing an aneurysm by threading a small catheter into an artery and placing coils or stents to treat the aneurysm. With endovascular treatment, there are no incisions or openings in the head. The procedure is done using small catheters from the leg or arm.

How is Endovascular Coiling performed

The coiling procedure involves approaching the aneurysm from inside of blood vessels, so that there is no need to open the skull. Small metal coils are inserted into the aneurysm through the arteries. Once inserted, the coils will remain inside of the aneurysm to stop blood flow and reduce the risk of a brain bleed, or re-bleed.

Recovering from Endovascular Coiling

Typically, recovery takes several days to a week, with a gradual return to normal activities. Patients often return to work in 1-2 weeks, unless otherwise instructed. It is important to remember that each patient is unique and individual recovery time will vary.

Effectiveness of Endovascular Coiling

While there are risks associated with coiling, the procedure is a highly-effective way to reduce the risk of an aneurysm rupturing. As with any procedure, it is important to discuss your treatment options, risks and benefits with a highly skilled team of neurosurgeons.

The choice between Aneurysm Clipping and Endovascular Coiling

For patients facing a brain aneurysm diagnosis, choosing the best treatment option is an important decision. Each patient is very unique and a one-size-fits-all approach is not recommended.

Aneurysm Clipping & Endovascular Coiling in New Jersey

For more than 25 years, the experienced physician team at New Jersey Brain and Spine has delivered highly-skilled and compassionate care to more than 40,000 patients with complex brain, spine and neurological conditions. Please contact us today to decide if we are the right option for your care and treatment.

We also offer an expert second opinion service should you wish to discuss your treatment options. For more information, or to request a second opinion, reach out to us immediately by calling 201-342-2550 or emailing us at secondopinion@NJBrainSpine.com

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