LAUSR

To assess outcomes after clipping or coiling of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms via a meta-analysis. Systematic searches of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central were undertaken from 1st January 1973 until 1st May 2020 for published studies reporting microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling of DACA aneurysms. Primary outcome measure was independent functional outcome (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0–2, or Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 4–5). Secondary outcomes were poor clinical outcome and mortality, perioperative complications, aneurysm occlusion rates, rebleeding and recurrence. 938 and 223 patients with ruptured and unruptured DACA aneurysms, respectively, were reported across 28 studies. Pooled rate of procedure-related morbidity was 6.8% (95%CI: 3.2 – 11.2) and 1.3% (95%CI: 0.0 – 9.1) for clipped and coiling ruptured DACA aneurysms respectively. Pooled rate of intraoperative rupture for clipped and coiled ruptured DACA aneurysms was 10.0% (95%CI: 2.5 – 20.6) and 5.7% (95%CI: 1.1 – 12.5) respectively. Pooled rate of acute hydrocephalus for clipped and coiled ruptured DACA aneurysms was 7.8% (95%CI: 0.5 – 19.7) and 1.4% (95% CI: 0.0 – 11.3) respectively. Pooled rate of perioperative mortality was 0.002% (95% CI: 0.0 – 0.7) ruptured DACA aneurysms treated by clipping. For clipped unruptured DACA aneurysms, pooled rates of procedure-related morbidity, intraoperative rupture, acute hydrocephalus were 2.5% (95%CI: 0.0 – 7.5), 0.002% (95%CI: 0.0 – 3.1) and 0.5% (95%CI: 0.0 – 5.1) respectively. Clipping results in poorer short-term outcomes when compared to coiling. However, the final decision-making should be shared with the patient and be performed on a selective, case-by-case basis in order to maximize patient benefits.