The outcome in 100 consecutive cases of early aneurysm surgery.

A retrospective study has been carried out on 100 consecutive patients undergoing direct surgery for ruptured aneurysms of the anterior part of the Circle of Willis within 3 days following subarachnoid haemorrhage. All patients were preoperatively in neurological Grades I, II or III. 76% of the patients made a good recovery whilst the morbidity was 10% and the mortality 14%. The results are compared with the estimated results of delayed treatment as well as with the natural history of the disease. The incidence of hydrocephalus requiring a shunt procedure was 2% and the incidence of permanent ischaemic deficits of delayed onset 16%.