New Jersey Neurosurgeon Spearheads Effort to Enhance Comfort, Reduce Recovery Time for Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Patients
Dr. Paul Saphier from Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists says a patient’s wrist is the key to taking endovascular neurosurgery to the next level
What does the future of brain surgery for patients with strokes and aneurysms look like?
According to Dr. Paul Saphier, a board-certified neurosurgeon at Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists – one of the largest neurosurgical practices in New Jersey and one of the most advanced in the country – in many cases, there won’t be a need for general anesthesia. And patients may be able to walk away 30 minutes after the procedure with nothing more than a compression bracelet around their wrist.
“We’re actually doing this today by taking a radial approach to endovascular neurosurgery,” says Dr. Saphier, who performs hundreds of procedures per year. “With endovascular neurosurgery, neurosurgeons can access – and treat – a brain aneurysm or rupture by navigating through a blood vessel to deliver devices like coils and stents, rather than performing open brain surgery. Neurosurgeons traditionally go through a blood vessel in the upper thigh, but by using the radial artery in the wrist instead, we can take patient comfort to the next level and reduce recovery time.”
Altair Health neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Saphier is leading the industry and taking endovascular neurosurgery to the next level.
The radial approach carries less risk of bleeding and improves patient comfort compared to the traditional transfemoral approach, which is when physicians advance their devices through the main artery in the thigh. Plus, instead of needing to stay off the leg to recover, patients can walk off the table after the procedure and be discharged in as little as 30 minutes.
“Neither endovascular approach carries a significant risk of complications, but if we can reduce the risk even further and simultaneously make the experience faster and smoother for our patients, it’s our duty to deliver on that,” adds. Dr. Saphier.
While radial access is widespread in the cardiology community for interventions like stenting and catheterization, it is not commonly used in neurosurgery.
“This isn’t an indication of its efficacy,” notes Dr. Saphier. “Because the radial artery is so much smaller, the procedure requires a higher level of skill to perform. Even if a neurosurgeon is highly skilled, the traditional approach is very much the status quo and most physicians’ comfort level.”
Dr. Saphier is such a strong proponent of radial artery access for neurosurgery that he is spearheading a physician-led study that will formally examine its benefits.
“Since seeing how successful radial access has been with my patients – in terms of their outcomes and their satisfaction – I haven’t looked back. I’m energized to lead the industry forward on this front and to help more patients get the best treatment available.”
If you’re interested in learning more about a radial approach to endovascular neurosurgery and how it can benefit you or a loved one, contact Dr. Saphier at ANS at 973-285-7800