Objective    To investigate the treatment of modified vertebral-carotid transposition (VCT) in patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery. Methods    A retrospective study of 13 patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery treated by modified VCT in our hospital from October 2016 to December 2018 was done. There were 10 males and 3 females with an average age of 70.5±7.1 years. Results    The operation was successful in this series of patients. The follow-up duration was 1-3 years. The stenosis degree of the V1 segment of the vertebral artery decreased from 86.8%±7.5% to 17.4%±14.5%. All patients achieved remission of symptoms after the surgery. Temporary peripheral nerve injury occurred in 6 patients. Four patients with neurological complications relieved during follow-up. The patency rate was 100.0% at postoperative 1 and 3 years. There was no perioperative death, stroke or re-intervention. Conclusion    Modified VCT can precisely restore the distal blood flow of patients with severe stenosis or occlusion at V1 segment of vertebral artery, and relieve their symptoms.

Objective    To explore the treatment outcome of carotid endarterectomy combined with vertebral artery transposition in patients with severe stenosis to occlusion of the vertebral artery V1 segment and the ipsilateral carotid artery. Methods    From June 2017 to September 2020, patients with severe stenosis to occlusion of the vertebral artery V1 segment and the ipsilateral carotid artery treated with carotid endarterectomy combined with vertebral artery transposition in Fuwai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results    Finally 12 patients were enrolled, including 10 males and 2 females with an average age of 67.8±6.0 years. Twelve patients were successfully operated and the follow-up time was 1-3 years. The stenosis degree of the V1 segment of the vertebral artery decreased from 83.5%±11.8% to 24.9%±14.3% (P<0.001). The stenosis degree of carotid artery decreased from 85.6%±11.0% to 0% (P<0.001). Postoperative follow-up showed that the symptoms of symptomatic patients before surgery improved. The 1-year and 3-year patency rates were 100.0%, and there were no peripheral nerve injury complications, perioperative deaths or strokes. Conclusion    Carotid endarterectomy combined with vertebral artery transposition can treat ipsilateral carotid artery  stenosis and vertebral artery stenosis at the same time, improve blood supply to the brain, improve patients' symptoms and has high promotion value.