[Temporary arterial occlusion and intraoperative monitoring of somatosensory evoked potentials during treatment of cerebral aneurysms].

Temporary occlusion of the main artery feeding aneurysm with intraoperative monitoring of somatosensitive evoked potentials was performed in 10 patients: in the majority of them because premature aneurysm rupture, and in 3 patients to facilitate the dissection of the aneurysm and application of a definitive clip. The duration of temporary occlusion was between 5 to 20 minutes. The basic changes of SEP abnormalities were manifested in the prolongation of absolute latencies and the central conduction time. The changes were reversible. One patient died 30 days after the operation from lung infection; the condition of one was unchanged; two patients with mental sequelae had good but long recovery; outcome in one patient was good and in the others it was excellent. Temporary occlusion may not have disastrous consequences, and it can be well tolerated if performed in a reasonable period of time. The SEP monitoring is helpful in the operative management of aneurysms showing early signs of ischaemia.