Accelerated Recovery After Brachial Plexus Surgery: A Pilot Study of Same-Day Discharge

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of same-day discharge following adult traumatic brachial plexus nerve surgeryQuery.

A retrospective case series of 25 adult patients who underwent various nerve transfer procedures for traumatic brachial plexus injuries between 2022 and 2023 was analyzed. Outcome measures included 90 day complications, pain scores, readmission rates, and reoperation rates.

The cohort included 17 cases of C5-6 brachial plexus injuries, 6 cases of C5-6-7 injuries, and 2 cases of pan-brachial plexus injuries (C5-T1). Nerve transfers were performed to restore shoulder and elbow function, with contralateral C7 transfer utilized in the pan-brachial plexus injury cases. All patients were discharged on the same day of surgery (< 24 h of admission). One patient (4%) with a pan-brachial plexus injury required readmission for pain management on the third postoperative day and discharged home on the same day. No patients required reoperation or experienced major complications.

This pilot study demonstrates that same-day discharge following brachial plexus surgery is feasible and safe in appropriately selected patients, with minimal complications. This approach may offer benefits in terms of reduced healthcare costs and improved patient satisfaction.