Hospital Discharge Arrangements for Very Elderly Patients with Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Abstract

Chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH)is a common condition encountered by neurosurgeons. Owing to increasing life expectancy and rapid population aging, the age at disease onset is delayed, which negatively affects hospital discharge arrangements. This retrospective study investigated patients aged ≥90 years who underwent surgery for CSDH. The study included 53 patients diagnosed with CSDH(63 sides)for the first time, who underwent surgery at our hospital between April 2018 and March 2019. The mean age was 78.7 years, and the study included 40 men. A subdural drain was placed after burr hole surgery performed for hematoma evacuation and lavage. The basic protocol included 8-day hospitalization comprising surgery on the day of admission, rehabilitation initiated the day after surgery, and suture removal 7 days after surgery, followed by hospital discharge. The 'elderly' group(Group E)included patients aged ≥90 years, and the 'others' group(Group O)included patients aged <90 years. This study focused on hospital discharge arrangements. The mean length of hospitalization was 7.6 days in 10 patients(19%)in Group E. The rate of intervention by a discharge support nurse or medical social worker(Medical Consultation Team)was 100% in Group E and 65% in Group O. All patients were discharged to planned living arrangements with the assistance of the Medical Consultation Team and rehabilitation intervention. Among elderly patients, difficulties with hospital discharge arrangements could be attributed to exacerbation of dementia symptoms after hospitalization and manifestations of disuse syndrome and complications. Surgical treatment can be offered to patients with CSDH regardless of age(even to those aged >90 years)and facilitates smooth discharge with multidisciplinary intervention.