Evaluating Predictors of Successful Postoperative Day 1 Discharge Following Posterior Fossa Tumor Resection

Current trends in surgical neuro-oncology show that early discharges are safe and feasible with shorter lengths of stay (LOS) and fewer thromboembolic complications, fewer hospital-acquired infections, reduced costs, and greater patient satisfaction. Traditionally, infratentorial tumor resections have been associated with longer LOS and limited data exist evaluating predictors of early discharge in these patients. The objective was to assess patients undergoing posterior fossa craniotomies for tumor resection and identify variables associated with postoperative day 1 (POD1) discharge.

A retrospective review of posterior fossa craniotomies for tumor resection at our institution was performed from 2011 to 2020. Laser ablations, nontumoral pathologies, and biopsies were excluded. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and postoperative data were collected.

One hundred and seventy-three patients were identified and 25 (14.5%) were discharged on POD1. Median length of stay (LOS) was 6 days. The POD1 discharges had significantly better preoperative Karnofsky performance scores (P < 0.001) and modified Rankin scores (P = 0.002) and more frequently presented electively (P = 0.006) and without preoperative neurologic deficits (P = 0.021). No statistically significant difference in 30-day readmissions and rates of PE, UTI, and DVT was found. Univariate logistic regression identified better preoperative functional status, elective admission, and lack of preoperative hydrocephalus as predictors of POD1 discharge, however only the latter remained significant in the multivariable model (P = 0.001).

Discharging patients on POD1 is feasible following posterior fossa tumor resection in a select group of patients. Although we found that the only independent predictor for a longer LOS was preoperative hydrocephalus, larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.