OBJECTIVE:Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms is becoming increasingly used to manage certain intracranial lesions based on aneurysm geometry, patient condition, and patient and surgeon preferences. Aneurysm recurrences or incomplete initial treatments are not uncommon making repeat treatment necessary using either surgical or endovascular techniques.METHODS:Between January 1993 and June 1998, 1025 cerebral aneurysms were managed by the authors at a single hospital. One hundred twenty-four of these lesions were treated using Guglielmi detachable coils, and one was managed with nondetachable coils. During the follow-up period, eight patients who underwent embolization at our institution and one who underwent embolization elsewhere received repeat treatment. Five were approached surgically, and four underwent re-embolization. All charts and films were reviewed retrospectively to determine patient outcome and clinical success.RESULTS:No patient in the subgroup of this clinical study suffered a permanent complication from initial aneurysm coiling, no episodes of subsequent bleeding occurred, and no complications resulted from any subsequent therapies. The anatomic results were excellent, and all aneurysms were totally or near totally obliterated.CONCLUSION:Subtotal initial coil embolization of aneurysms can be managed safely using a variety of surgical and endovascular techniques. Our approach to this predicament, lessons we have learned, and a review of the literature are herein discussed.