Brain bypass surgery can be used in patients with impaired blood flow to the brain. Conditions that may benefit from this surgery include patients with an aneurysm, tumor, cerebral ischemic disorders that cannot be treated with endovascular procedures, as well as others.
Brain bypass surgery is completed by performing a craniotomy. During surgery, the neurosurgeon removes a piece of the skull to expose the brain. Once the area is accessed, the neurosurgeon then changes the path of blood flow to the brain by connecting a blood vessel located outside of the brain to a vessel located inside the brain. The vessel that is used for bypass surgery can either be taken from the patient’s own body or from a donor. This new pathway goes around (bypasses) the vessel that is damaged and/or clogged. Blood flow is restored to the brain because of the new connection. The bone flap that was removed is then replaced and closed.