Transverse cervical artery bypass pedicle for treatment of common carotid artery occlusion: New adjunct for revascularization of the internal carotidartery domain

OBJECTIVE: We present two cases of common carotid artery occlusion that wer e treated by vascular reconstruction using the transverse cervical artery. METHODS: Two patients with common carotid artery occlusion presented with t ransient ischemic attacks resulting from decreased cerebral blood flow on t he affected side. Both patients underwent vascular reconstruction using the transverse cervical artery. The transverse cervical artery was anastomosed to the ipsilateral external carotid artery at its origin, as a pedicle gra ft. A superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis was th en performed. RESULTS: The postoperative courses were uneventful. The transverse cervical artery bypass grafts were patent, and cerebral blood flow increased to nor mal levels. CONCLUSION: Transverse cervical artery grafting provides a less tedious alt ernative to saphenous vein interposition grafting for revascularization of the internal carotid artery domain.