Neuro-rehabilitation--a challenge for neurosurgeons in the century 21st concepts and visions of the WFNS-Committee on neurosurgical rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with severe brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve lesions today survive surgery. This, however, is quite often achieved at the burden of disabilities. Neuro-rehabilitation could improve significantly patient's quality of life (QoL).


METHODS
Formed in 1997, the WFNS Committee supports all efforts regarding personal and regional activities, teaching, research, recommendations, guidelines, and practical application to improve neurosurgeon's quality management within the spectrum of rehabilitation around the world.


RESULTS
Neuro-rehabilitation became part of the scientific programmes at the 11th EANS, 10th AANS, ICRAN 1999, and now 12th WFNS congresses. The first international conference on Neurosurgical Rehabilitation took place in D--Münster, 2000.


CONCLUSIONS
The WFNS Committee can influence neurosurgeons to take over the challenge of neuro-rehabilitation to improve patient's outcome in respect to ICIDH-2 WHO classification. Delegates of all neurosurgical societies are kindly invited to join us.
von Wild
Klaus R H
KR
Clemenshospital, Teaching Hospital, Westphalian-William's University, Münster, NRW, Germany.
D026683:Advisory Committees; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*