ABSTRACT

Aim: To assess Mortality as a reliable measure of Neurosurgical care. Methods: We analyzed hospital mortality records of 7 years i.e., from January, 2009 to January 2016. In addition, information on outpatient visits, admissions, and procedures was gathered. A detailed review of fatalities was done. According to predetermined standards, fatalities were classified as accidental, theoretically avoidable, or avoidable. Results: Over the time frame observed, 200 people died. In that time frame, 0.96% of patients were admitted, and fewer than 0.3% of patients received neurosurgical treatment. The overwhelming number of neurosurgical fatalities is inevitable, with the main pathology determining survival more than the standard of treatment given. Just seven deaths were considered theoretically avoidable (0.03% of admissions), although none of them may have been avoided with proper neurosurgical treatment. Conclusion: The mortality rates in neurosurgery do not represent the quality of treatment given. The majority of fatalities in neurosurgery are accidental, with key pathology determining mortality rather than the level of treatment given. Focusing only on death avoids the fact that more than 99% of people admitted for neurosurgery do not die. Keywords: Neurosurgery care, complications, avoidable deaths, Mortality, successful discharge