Methods: Between September 2012 and April 2015, data of a total of 13 patients (8 males, 5 females; mean age, 62.3±5.0 years; range, 54 to 70 years) who were operated for vertebral artery stenosis were retrospectively analyzed using hospital records. Demographic characteristics of the patients, comorbidities, smoking status, ejection fraction values, procedures applied, length of cardiovascular intensive care unit and hospital stay, and mortality rates were recorded.

Results: No mortality was observed in any patient. Six patients (46.2%) had minor morbidities. Two patients had hoarseness, and lymphatic drainage, ipsilateral lip asymmetry, ipsilateral arm pain and revision surgery for bleeding developed in each case. The mean length of intensive care unit and hospital stay was 1.2±0.6 (1 to 3) and 3.7±1.3 (3 to 7) days, respectively. The mean follow-up was 14.7±8.8 (1.7 to 30.2) months (total 15.9 patient/years). None of the patients had a cerebrovascular event during follow-up. Two patients had short-term symptoms (vertigo and ipsilateral burning pain of arm). Restenosis was seen in one patient (7.7%). The mean restenosis-free survival time was 11.3±10.3 (0.4 to 30.2) months (total 11.3 patient/years). The mean one-year patency of the vertebral artery was 83.3±15.2%.

Conclusion: Vertebral artery surgery is a surgical modality which yields successful results in a long-time neglected field. Surgical treatment should be considered in patients with vertebral artery stenosis with its high patency and survival rates.