Researchers at forty-eight centers in China studied two hundred eighty patients who had moderate to severe strokes. These adults arrived at the hospital within twenty-four hours of their symptoms starting. One group received surgery to remove the blockage plus standard medical care. The other group received only standard medical care without surgery. The doctors carefully checked the results without knowing which treatment each patient received.
At ninety days, fifty-eight point six percent of the surgery group were functionally independent. This means they could care for themselves at home. Only forty-six point six percent of the group that had no surgery reached this goal. The difference was clear and statistically important for patient recovery.
The surgery group did face a small increase in bleeding inside the brain. Four point seven percent of patients in the surgery group had this problem. Only two point two percent of patients in the medical care group had bleeding. Death rates were similar for both groups at one in nine patients.
The study team noted some statistical limits in their analysis. They funded this work through the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Overall, the results suggest surgery can help many patients but doctors must weigh the bleeding risk carefully.
