Continuous suction method in superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis surgery - Technical note

A new method was developed to maintain a bloodless microscopic operative field for superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis surgery. A silicone suction tube with multiple holes is placed circumferentially under the reflected dural flaps around the craniotomy. Blood and irrigated saline are continuously aspirated by the tube. Use of this method in nine patients significantly reduced the mean MCA trapping time (24.0 +/- 2.8 min) compared with nine patients treated using the conventional method (30.1 +/- 4.6 min). MCA trapping time is shortened because the surgery is not interrupted for manual suctioning of bloody cerebrospinal fluid.