Evaluation of Perioperative Experiences of Patients Undergoing Awake Craniotomy: A Retrospective, Observational Study

AIM: To evaluate the satisfaction and experiences of patients who underwent awake craniotomy, a relatively uncommon procedure. MATERIAL and METHODS: Following institutional ethics committee approval, data from 60 patients who underwent awake craniotomy between January 2019 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in this observational study. Demographic data, perioperative experiences, overall satisfaction levels, and patient recommendations were collected using surveys and retrospective evaluations. The data were analyzed using statistical methods. RESULTS: The study revealed that most patients (93.3%) were satisfied with their communication with the surgical team, with 98.3% indicating that they received adequate information regarding anesthetic and surgical procedures. However, 21.7% perceived the written informational materials as insufficient. CONCLUSION: These findings emphasize the necessity of a patient-centered approach throughout the surgical pathway, suggesting that comprehensive information and support systems can enhance patient experience. Furthermore, awake craniotomy can be successfully performed through close collaboration within a multidisciplinary team that prioritizes patient comfort and reassurance. However, improvements are needed in the quality of written informational materials and in reducing the discomfort associated with local anesthetic injections. This study expands the existing evidence base by presenting patient-centered data on awake craniotomy practices in Turkey, highlighting the need for standardization and quality improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing patient experience.