[Surgical treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas. A description of open surgical techniques in the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistula with preserved normal flow in the internal carotid artery].

We have used a packing technique for surgical treatment of carotico-cavernous fistulas, which allows preservation of the flow in the internal carotid artery. We have treated six patients for carotico-cavernous fistulas with this technique, and in all patients the preoperative symptoms and signs disappeared completely. One patient still had a slight paresis of the left abducent nerve due to the operation three months after the operation. Surgical treatment of carotico-cavernous fistulas is effective and probably preserves the flow in the internal carotid artery.