BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a constant motivation. There is growing evidence that an endoscopic (rather than microscopic) transsphenoidal approach to pituitary tumours can play a role, facilitating faster recovery and a commensurate reduction in length of stay (LOS). Reducing LOS is beneficial to both patients and healthcare systems. We sought to assess the safety, patient feedback, and resource implications of adopting an enhanced recovery and accelerated discharge policy for elective pituitary surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively assessed two consecutive cohorts of patients undergoing elective surgery for pituitary adenoma in a single UK centre between July 2016 and November 2019. The pre-ERAS cohort included 52 sequential patients operated prior to protocol change. The ERAS cohort included 55 sequential patients operated after a protocol change. Patient demographic data, tumour characteristics, intra- and post-operative CSF leak, the rate and cause of readmission (within 30 days), and the mean and median LOS were recorded. Patient feedback was collected from a subset of patients (n = 23) in the ERAS group.

RESULTS

The two cohorts were well-matched with respect to their demographic, pathological, and operative characteristics. The rates of readmission within 30 days of discharge were similar between the two groups (8% pre-ERAS cohort, 9% ERAS cohort, p = 0.75). In the pre-ERAS cohort, the mean LOS was 4.5 days and median LOS was 3 days. This compares with significant reduction in LOS for the ERAS group: mean of 1.7 days and median of 1 day (p < 0.05). Thirty-nine of 55 patients in the ERAS group were discharged on post-operative day 1. Patient feedback was very positive in the ERAS group (mean patient satisfaction score of 9.7/10 using a Likert scale).

CONCLUSIONS

An enhanced recovery protocol after elective endoscopic pituitary surgery is safe, reduces length of stay, and is associated with high patient satisfaction.