Comparison of neurosurgical treatment outcomes for unruptured intracranial aneurysms using clipping and embolization in terms of quality of life

<ns3:p>The study aimed to compare two groups of patients, classified based on the method of intracranial aneurysm treatment (clipping vs. embolization), in terms of their quality of life. This was evaluated by analyzing the total number of reported ailments and the occurrence of specific health problems following surgery.The study included 59 patients who underwent treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA). They were divided into two groups based on the treatment method used. Group A consisted of 30 patients who underwent aneurysm embolization, with an average age of 52.4 years (standard deviation: 15.54). Group B included 29 patients who underwent aneurysm clipping surgery, with a slightly higher average age of 58.7 years (standard deviation: 12.39). The patients were evaluated using neuroimaging tests such as angioCT, angioMRI, and Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), along with a structured clinical interview and the Postoperative Complication Assessment Questionnaire, which was completed six months after treatment.Data analysis confirmed that both embolization and clipping of intracranial aneurysms are safe procedures, as no deaths or the need for reoperation were recorded. When comparing both methods in terms of complications, a permanent neurological deficit was observed in 13.3% of patients after embolization and 6.9% after clipping. Headaches were reported by approximately 42% of individuals in both groups. Discomfort at the surgical site was more frequently reported following clipping (37.9%) than embolization (20.0%). Wound healing issues were rare and similar across both groups. The cosmetic outcome was significantly less satisfactory among patients who underwent clipping (41.4%) compared to those treated with embolization (3.3%). The most notable differences were related to cosmetic effects and the number of complaints, with patients who underwent clipping reporting more issues. These effects demonstrated moderate statistical strength, with ϕ values ranging from 0.30 to 0.50 for cosmetic effects and Cohen’s d values ranging from 0.50 to 0.80 for the total number of complaints.The embolization method, chosen and performed by a team of experienced neuroradiologists, resulted in an overall better quality of life for patients with intracranial aneurysms. This was due to the significantly lower number of complications and complaints about discomfort in Group A, which received embolization, compared to Group B, which underwent surgical clipping.</ns3:p>