Outcomes after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis combined with multiple burr hole surgery and dural inversion synangiosis for moyamoya disease in adults.

OBJECTIVE: Several forms of cerebral revascularization have been carried out to treat moyamoya disease, however, the existing methods are accompanied by a variety of complications. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the clinical and angiographic outcomes of a new surgical procedure: superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis combined with multiple burr hole (MBH) surgery and dural inversion synangiosis for the treatment of moyamoya disease in adults.

METHODS: Patients treated for moyamoya disease from August 2019 to July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data, including perioperative complications and follow-up outcomes, were noted. Preoperative and postoperative angiograms were compared, and the diameters of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery (F-STA), the deep temporal artery (DTA), the distal superficial temporal artery (STA) before the bifurcation and the middle meningeal artery (MMA) were measured on preoperative and postoperative angiograms. Meanwhile, a Matsushima score was assigned from postoperative angiograms.

RESULTS: This study included 66 patients (67 hemispheres). During the follow-up period, a median of 18 (IQR, 13-21) months, no stroke or death occurred in any of the patients. The clinical outcomes were excellent in 27 patients (40.9%), good in 34 patients (51.6%), fair in 4 patients (6.0%), and poor in 1 patient (1.5%); the overall rate of favorable clinical outcomes (excellent and good) was 92.5%. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was significantly improved at follow-up (P < 0.001). There were 41 hemispheres imaged by cerebral angiography after the operation, at a median postoperative interval of 9 (IQR, 8-12) months; among them, 34 (82.9%) hemispheres had Matsushima scores of grade A and grade B. The average postoperative diameters in the STA, DTA and MMA were increased significantly in 41 hemispheres at follow-up (P < 0.001). Sixteen (24.2%) patients suffered from perioperative complications, including focal hyperperfusion syndrome (HS) in 8 (12.2%) patients, cerebral infarction in 3 (4.5%) patients (including one case accompanied by wound infection), cerebral hemorrhage in 2 (3.0%) patients, seizures in 2 (3.0%) patients, and subdural effusion in 1 (1.5%) patient.

CONCLUSIONS: The procedure of STA-MCA anastomosis combined with MBH surgery and dural inversion synangiosis may be a safe and effective treatment for adult patients with moyamoya disease.