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INTRODUCTION A small number of complex intracranial aneurysms is not amenable to direct clipping strategies or endovascular treatment. In these patients, parent artery sacrifice and bypass revascularization for aneurysm occlusion is an option. There are three strategies for parent artery sacrifice: trapping, complete occlusion of the inflow and outflow segment, proximal occlusion of the inflow vessel, and distal occlusion of the outflow vessel(s). This study aimed to compare these techniques with regard to aneurysm occlusion rates. METHODS We reviewed our database for cerebral revascularization before parent artery sacrifice to treat cerebral aneurysms. We assessed aneurysm occlusion rates 3 and 12 months after surgery, outcome, and postoperative aneurysm rupture. RESULTS 121 patients underwent parent artery sacrifice for complex aneurysms. 30% of the parent arteries were trapped, 58% proximally, and 12% distally occluded. Postoperative DSA revealed an aneurysm occlusion rate of 100% after trapping. Proximal occlusion led to early complete aneurysm occlusion in 71% of the cases, 21% occluded during follow-up. The complete occlusion rate was 96%, distal occlusion had an early aneurysm occlusion rate of 40%, 40% occluded during follow-up. Complete aneurysm occlusion rate was only 80%. All three techniques resulted in a volume reduction of more than 60% without a significant difference between the groups. The annual aneurysm rupture rate after distal parent artery sacrifice was 15%; there was no rupture after trapping or proximal parent artery sacrifice. CONCLUSION Trapping and proximal parent artery sacrifice seem to be superior to distal parent artery sacrifice regarding occlusion and rupture rates.