A thrombectomy in Singapore can be described as a procedure to address a blood clot in the blood vessel. An aneurysm, on the other hand, is an irregular bulge or ballooning of the blood vessel. Thus, a thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair is a surgical treatment employed to treat blood clots (thrombus) present in or near the wall of an artery in the brain.
There are two methods of a thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair, these are:
The procedure employed during thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair depends on the specific method your neurosurgeon in Singapore chooses to execute. The table below details briefly the mechanisms of each method:
Treatment Method | Description | Benefits | Considerations |
Surgical Clipping | Involves opening the skull. Placement of a tiny metal clip at the base of the aneurysm. | Prevents blood flow into the aneurysm, reducing the risk of rupture. Established success in treatment. | More invasive procedure. |
Endovascular Coiling | Minimally invasive approach. May require awake brain surgery. A catheter is threaded through the artery to manoeuvre tiny platinum coils to the aneurysm. The coiled aneurysm becomes clotted off, allowing for embolisation (subsequently preventing rupture). | Less invasive, with no need for a skull opening. Effective in sealing off the aneurysm. | Suitability depends on various factors, including aneurysm characteristics. Requires expertise. |
In both methods, patients will be placed under general anaesthesia, ensuring minimal discomfort and a painless experience. After the procedure, patients will have to stay in hospital for up to a week for observation and to monitor recovery.
A thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair specifically manages conditions pertaining to blood clot formations, such as:
If you have any of the conditions listed above, make an appointment with Chou Neuroscience Clinic for customised treatment.
More often than not, a thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair in Singapore are conducted in stroke patients. In these situations, the procedure will prevent permanent disabilities such as coma and even death.
In situations where blood clots are detected during a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scan (CT scan) , a thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair will be recommended as a means of preventing devastating outcomes.
A thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair is, with no exaggeration, a life-saving procedure. If blood clot formations are detected in the early stages, one can expect a reduction in symptoms such as chronic headaches, recovery of physical impediments, vision distortion, and reduction in seizures.
Ideally, a thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair are conducted as a one-off treatment. However, there is a likelihood of patients having recurring aneurysms, strokes, or regrowth of coiled aneurysms. In the hands of an expert neurosurgeon, a detailed treatment plan will be made to ensure patients obtain the best treatment, improving their quality of life.
If suspected of chances of recurring blood clots, you will be guided on changes in lifestyle and preventative measures. You may also be recommended to visit our clinic to monitor the progression of the blood clot formation closely.
This procedure is conducted 6-24 hours after a stroke has occurred. A thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair may not be recommended if bleeding is present. Instead, a craniotomy (link to service page) would be necessary. Your neurosurgeon will weigh patients' eligibility for thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair.
Many patients are asymptomatic, and in such cases, blood clots are detected during an MRI or CT scan. In asymptomatic cases, your neurosurgeon will decide if immediate intervention is necessary or if closely monitoring the progression will suffice for the time being. A critical risk-benefit analysis will be conducted.