Enhanced recovery after surgery in patients undergoing craniotomy: A meta-analysis

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multidisciplinary,and evidence-based perioperative care method. It is effective in shortening hospital stays and improving clinical outcomes. However, the application of ERAS in craniotomy lacks reliable evidence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of ERAS in craniotomy.

Studies of ERAS in craniotomy were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science. Primary outcomes (total hospital stay and postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization cost, percent of patients with moderate to severe pain) and secondary outcomes (readmission rate and incidence of complication) were compared between ERAS and traditional perioperative care.

Of the 10 studies included in this meta-analysis, 6 were randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), 3 were cohort studies, and 1 was non-RCT. A total of 1275 patients were included, with 648 in the ERAS group and 627 in the control group. Compared with the control group, the ERAS group had a significantly shortened total length of stay (LOS) (MD = -2.437, 95% CI: -3.616, -1.077, P = 0.001) and postoperative LOS, reduced hospitalization cost (SMD = -0.631, 95% CI: -0.893, -0.369, P = 0.001), and lower percent of patients with moderate to severe pain. There was no significant difference in readmission rate between the two groups. Though, the ERAS group had a significantly lower risk of pneumonia than the control group.

ERAS is safe and effective for craniotomy as it shortens total and postoperative LOS, reduces hospitalization costs, decreases the percent of patients with moderate to severe pain.