OBJECTIVETo find a better therapy for extensive cerebral infarction.

METHODSSixty cases with extensive cerebral infarction were treated by surgical decompression. After operation, they were randomly divided into an acupuncture plus medication group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the medication group were treated by routine western medicine, and the patients in the acupuncture plus medication group by the routine western medicine plus acupuncture 2 days after operation with Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuehai (SP 10) and Shuigou (GV 26) selected. They were treated for 10 days. The nervous functions were assessed by Chinese Stroke Nerve-function Rating Scale and criteria for clinical therapeutic effect.

RESULTSAfter surgical decompression, the death rate was 20.0%; after operation, acupuncture could significantly improve the neurological functional deficit degree of the patient. The total effective rate of 40.0% in the acupuncture plus medication group was better than 13.3% in the medication group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe surgical decompression is able to decrease the death rate of extensive cerebral infarction; after the operation, acupuncture and western medicine have cooperative effect on extensive cerebral infarction with a good therapeutic effect.