COMPARISON OF MORTALITY AND POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CLIPPED RUPTURED VS. UNRUPTURED INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS

Introduction: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a weakening of a cerebral vessel that can lead to rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Ruptured IAs account for about 85% of SAH cases, with high complication risks. Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are increasingly diagnosed due to advanced imaging techniques, with treatment options including clipping or coiling. The aim of the study was to compare mortality and the incidence of complications in patients after intracranial aneurysm clipping, with a distinction between previously ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Materials and methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent cerebral aneurysm clipping between 2022 and 2025 at the Clinical Department of Neurosurgery of the University Clinical Center named after Prof. K. Gibiński, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. Data on sex, age, aneurysm location, status (ruptured/unruptured), and complications were collected. Statistical analysis used chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (p < 0,05). Results: The study included 61 patients, with 46 females (75,41%) and 15 males (24,59%). Of the aneurysms, 46 (75,41%) were unruptured and 15 (24,59%) ruptured. Postoperative complications occurred in 21 patients (34,43%), including transient paresis, aphasia, and stroke. Three patients (4,92%) died. Chi-square and Fisher's tests showed no statistically significant differences in complications (p = 0,08) and mortality (p = 0,15) between ruptured and unruptured groups. Conclusions: Postoperative complications were more common in ruptured aneurysms, though no statistical significance was found. The overall mortality rate was low, and no significant difference in mortality was observed between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms.