Intraoperative Matas test using microscope-integrated intraoperative indocyanine green videoangiography with temporary unilateral occlusion of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess a new technique of surgical microscope-based indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography (VAG) to confirm the patency of the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) after clipping AcomA aneurysms.

Methods: Aneurysmal clipping of five cases of unruptured, broad-neck AcomA aneurysm was performed using the Carl Zeiss Surgical Microscope OPMI Pentero INFRARED 800.

Results: In all five patients, after clipping AcomA aneurysms, the patency of AcomA was confirmed using ICGVAG findings and temporary unilateral occlusion of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery using temporary clips. Images were excellent and enabled a real-time surgical assessment because the structures of interest, including vessels, perforating arteries, or residual aneurysm neck, were visible to the surgeon's eye under the microscope in all five patients.

Conclusions: ICGVAG and temporary unilateral occlusion with clips provides a simple, reliable, real-time, and rapid intraoperative assessment of the patency of AcomA. This technique may help to improve the quality of neurosurgical procedures.