What does the future of brain surgery for patients with strokes and aneurysms look like?
According to Dr. Paul Saphier, a board-certified neurosurgeon at Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists – one of the largest neurosurgical practices in New Jersey and one of the most advanced in the country – in many cases, there won’t be a need for general anesthesia. And patients may be able to walk away 30 minutes after the procedure with nothing more than a compression bracelet around their wrist.
“We’re actually doing this today by taking a radial approach to endovascular neurosurgery,” Dr. Saphier said. “With endovascular neurosurgery, neurosurgeons can access – and treat – a brain aneurysm or rupture by navigating through a blood vessel to deliver devices like coils and stents, rather than performing open brain surgery. Neurosurgeons traditionally go through a blood vessel in the upper thigh, but by using the radial artery in the wrist instead, we can take patient comfort to the next level and reduce recovery time.”
The radial approach carries less risk of bleeding and improves patient comfort compared to the traditional transfemoral approach, which is when physicians advance their devices through the main artery in the thigh. Plus, instead of needing to stay off the leg to recover, patients can walk off the table after the procedure and be discharged in as little as 30 minutes.
“Neither endovascular approach carries a significant risk of complications, but if we can reduce the risk even further and simultaneously enhance the experience for our patients, it’s our duty to deliver on that,” Dr. Saphier said.
Dr. Saphier is such a strong proponent of radial artery access for neurosurgery that he is spearheading a physician-led study that will formally examine its benefits.
“After seeing how successful radial access has been with my patients, I’m energized to lead the industry forward and help more patients get the best treatment available.”
To learn more, contact ANS at 973-285-7800 or www.ansdocs.com.
Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS) is New Jersey’s largest neurosurgical practice and one of the most advanced in the country. Since its founding in 1958, ANS has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system. For more information, visit www.ansdocs.com.
