Y-stenting with braided stents for wide-neck intracranial bifurcation aneurysms. A single-center initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms is still challenging despite the use of new techniques, such as Y-stenting, the waffle-cone technique and intrasaccular flow disrupters, in recent years. Moreover, the use of flow diverter stents in bifurcation aneurysms has been proposed by several teams, although the results remain controversial. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of Y-stent assisted coiling of bifurcation aneurysms with braided stents.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients in whom Y-stenting with braided stents had been performed in our center. Six patients were identified and analyzed. Technical success, complications, angiographic outcomes, procedural data, and follow-up controls are reported here. This study was approved by our local ethical committee.

RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all procedures. Overall procedure-related morbidity and mortality was 0%. In the immediate post-treatment angiography, adequate occlusion (neck remnant or total occlusion) was observed in all patients. Short- and long-term follow-up angiography showed adequate occlusion of the aneurysms.

CONCLUSIONS: In this small, retrospective single-center analysis we showed that Y-stent assisted coiling with braided stents is a safe and feasible technique. Moreover, it has a high immediate occlusion rate and very good long-term stability.