Same-day discharge after craniotomy for tumor resection: a retrospective observational single-center study of 630 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Modern neurosurgical developments enable minimally invasive surgery with shorter operation times, faster recovery, and earlier hospital discharge. These in combination with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have the potential to safely shift craniotomy for tumor resection to the ambulatory setting in selected patients. The aim of this retrospective observational single-center study was to assess the success rate of planned same-day discharge from hospital in patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial brain tumor resection under general anesthesia or awake craniotomy as well as to explore potential associations with anesthesia techniques, complications, and readmission rates.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients scheduled for same-day discharge after supratentorial craniotomy for tumor resection over 25 years (1996-2021) was performed. Patients were identified for same-day discharge based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, anesthetic data, perioperative complications, and patient dispositions. Data are presented descriptively.

RESULTS: A total of 630 patients (mean age 50.9 years; 311 females, 319 males) scheduled for same-day discharge were analyzed. Patients underwent either awake craniotomy (AC; n = 491) or craniotomy under general anesthesia (GA; n = 139). Successful preplanned same-day discharge occurred in 571 (90.6%). Failed same-day discharge happened in 59 patients (GA, n = 14; AC, n = 45). Reasons for failed discharge included the following: new neurological deficit (n = 28); presence of seizure (n = 8); postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV; n = 12); excessive headache (n = 5); and/or social factors (n = 10). Nine patients (1.4%) (GA, n = 0; AC, n = 9) with same-day discharge required readmission to hospital within the first 24 hours after discharge. Reasons for readmission included headache (n = 2), seizure (n = 4), neurological deficit (n = 3), and/or PONV (n = 1); all patients were successfully discharged from hospital after 1 day with no need for reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective, single-center analysis shows that same-day discharge after craniotomy can be safe in carefully selected patients after both GA and AC for tumor resection. Multidisciplinary involvement (surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other allied health professionals) optimizes success of same-day craniotomy programs. Future optimization of analgesia and prevention of PONV has the potential to increase the success rate.