[Surgical treatment of anterior circulation aneurysm via pterion keyhole approach].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of pterion keyhole approach with minimal invasion for treatment of the anterior circulation aneurysm.

Method: Aneurysm clipping through the pterion keyhole approach was performed in patients with anterior circulation aneurysms, including 9 with posterior communication artery aneurysms, 3 with middle cerebral artery aneurysms and 6 with anterior communication artery aneurysms, who were in stages I to III according to Hunt-Hess scale.

Result: All the aneurysms were clipped successfully. One patient with a left posterior communication artery aneurysm developed transient sensory aphasia and motor aphasia after surgery due to intraoperative aneurysm rupture. No facial paralysis occurred due to damage of the facial nerve.

Conclusion: The pterion keyhole approach is a very useful surgical approach for treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms on the basis of cautious determination of indications and careful operation planning.