Predicting extended hospital stay after deep brain stimulation surgery in Parkinson's patients.

BACKGROUND:The goal of deep brain stimulation (DBS) is to achieve maximal benefit for the patient while minimizing the likelihood of adverse effects. Currently, no standardized criteria exist that predicts extended hospital stay in DBS patients, although careful patient selection is recognized as a very important step for successful DBS therapy. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS:The objective of this study was to identify eight key factors that predicted extended post-operative hospital stay following DBS lead implantation, in an effort to better identify patients that would require minimal hospital stay, resulting in reduced cost and reduced exposure to hospital- related problems. Univariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between each factor and patients' post-surgical outcomes. RESULTS:Using data collected from 183 patients, we found that 53 patients required a hospital stay longer than two days within one month post-procedure. Those who were 70 years or older and those who had frequent falls were significantly more likely to require extended post-surgical care. Patients that scored three points or higher on our eight-factor assessment scale had a greater likelihood of experiencing an event that would require an extended hospital stay following DBS lead placement, regardless of what three factors were present. CONCLUSIONS:Any PD patient who is 70 years or older, incurring frequent falls, or with more than three points on our scale, should be carefully screened and cautioned about likely prolonged recovery and extended post-operative hospital stay.