The influence of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol adherence in patients undergoing elective neuro-oncological craniotomies

OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have reduced the length of hospital stay (LOS) and healthcare costs without increasing adverse outcomes. We describe the impact of adherence to an ERAS protocol for elective craniotomy among neuro-oncology patients at a single institution. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled adult patients who underwent elective craniotomy and the ERAS protocol at our institute between January 2020 and April 2021. The patients were divided into high- and low-adherence groups depending on their adherence to ≥9 or <9 of the 16 items, respectively. Inferential statistics were used to compare group outcomes, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors related to delayed discharge (LOS>7 days). RESULTS: Among the 100 patients assessed, median adherence was 8 items (range, 4–16), and 55 and 45 patients were classified into the high- and low-adherence groups, respectively. Age, sex, comorbidities, brain pathology, and operative profiles were comparable at baseline. The high-adherence group showed significantly better outcomes, including shorter median LOS (8 days vs. 11 days; p ​= ​0.002) and lower median hospital costs (131,657.5 baht vs. 152,974 baht; p ​= ​0.005). The groups showed no differences in 30-day postoperative complications or Karnofsky performance status. In the multivariable analysis, high adherence to the ERAS protocol (>50%) was the only significant factor preventing delayed discharge (OR ​= ​0.28; 95% CI ​= ​0.10 to 0.78; p ​= ​0.04). CONCLUSIONS: High adherence to ERAS protocols showed a strong association with short hospital stays and cost reductions. Our ERAS protocol was feasible and safe for patients undergoing elective craniotomy for brain tumors.