Complications of intracranial bypass for vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

The authors' initial experience with intracranial revascularization of vertebrobasilar insufficiency, reported previously, fortunately yielded reasonably good results with high patency rates but in some cases there were significant, albeit temporary, complications. Since that time, major brain-stem strokes have occurred in two patients following superficial temporal to superior cerebellar artery bypass procedures. This occurrence has caused the authors to reassess their experience with this procedure and review the published literature with regard to complications. This review and the results of the international bypass study on anterior circulation ischemia suggest that a very cautious and conservative approach should be taken prior to considering intracranial bypass to the superior cerebellar or posterior cerebral artery.