Stroke treated at a neurosurgical ward: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the long-term recovery of patients treated with neurosurgery after stroke. This study aimed to explore the recovery of patients with first-time stroke treated in a neurosurgical ward, including their function, the presence of disability and life situation at admission, discharge and 4 years later. METHODS: In this cohort study, 28 subjects (average age 55 years) were included. All had first-time stroke and were treated at the neurosurgical ward consecutively for 18 months. Baseline characteristics were identified, and follow-up home visits (n = 13) were performed 4 years post-stroke to explore the life situation, health status and recovery. RESULTS: At admission, the median Glasgow Coma Scale score was 8 (range 3-15). Craniectomy or craniotomy was performed on 12 of the subjects. Average hospitalization time was 58 days. Two subjects died during the hospital stay, and an additional five died before the follow-up. Significant improvement in function from discharge to follow-up was noted: four of 13 were back at work, two were in need of personal assistance and one lived in a nursing home. Follow-up questionnaires showed a relatively high level of participation and independence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stroke who were admitted to a neurosurgical ward had a low mortality rate during the acute treatment, and at 4 years post-stroke, the survival rate was 75%. The level of disability and dependence at discharge was high, but at 4 years post-stroke, there was both measurable and self-perceived improvement in function.