[Venous graft bypass between the subclavian artery and a cortical artery, prior to carotid ligation for giant cervical carotid aneurysm].

Three cases of giant aneurysm of the cervical internal carotid artery are reported. In 2 cases the aneurysm was on the left side, with a symptomatology of repeated TI A's. In 1 case the aneurysm was on the right side, with a pharyngeal symptomatology. All 3 cases were an indication of cervical internal carotid artery ligation. Prior to the carotid ligation it was thought preferable to perform an extra-intracranial arterial By-pass. The superficial temporal artery not being available, a long By-pass was performed, between the subclavian artery and a cortical artery, by means of a saphenous vein graft. In 2 cases the By-pass was angiographically patent, 11 months and 1 year postoperatively. In one case, the postoperative angiogram (3 weeks) failed to show the By-pass. The advantages and disadvantages of the procedure are discussed.