Superficial temporal artery (STA) - middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass surgery has been widely used to treat patients with moyamoya disease, and its application value in symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA)/MCA stenosis/occlusion remains controversial. With the development of imaging, micro-devices and surgical techniques, and the deepen understanding of diseases, the effectiveness of STA-MCA bypass surgery in the treatment of symptomatic ICA/MCA stenosis/occlusion is further required. This article reviews the process of development and evolution of this surgical technique, as well as the significance and deficiencies of several randomized controlled trials of ICA/MCA treatment in the past, and looks forward to possible improvements in future research, so as to clarify the way for further randomized controlled study.
