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Qualitative
4 themes described the experiences of patients before, during, and immediately after awake craniotomy

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.11.4.126

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    A Palese

    Prof A Palese, Udine University, Udine, Italy; alvisa.palese@uniud.it

    QUESTION

    How do patients describe their experiences before, during, and immediately after awake craniotomy?

    DESIGN

    Qualitative study using a phenomenological approach.

    SETTING

    Neurosurgical unit in a hospital in Udine, Italy.

    PARTICIPANTS

    Purposeful sample of 21 patients >18 years of age (age range 20–63 y, 52% women) who had a brain neoplasm, no language or cognitive disabilities, and were to have surgery under local anaesthesia.

    METHODS

    Patients participated in 2 individual interviews (1 on the day before and 1 on the day after surgery), each lasting 30–60 minutes. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Data were analysed thematically.

    MAIN FINDINGS

    4 themes described patients’ experiences of awake craniotomy. (1) Patients focused on self-preservation before surgery. They felt that having surgery under local anaesthesia was almost non-negotiable because they believed it would reduce collateral damage and prevent disabilities. However, they also felt they had an active role in decisions: “It is my role during the operation to help the neurosurgeon understand where it is dangerous to touch and where he should be operating.” Most patients were more afraid of …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: no external funding.