Nighttime surgery increases complication risk in chronic subdural hematoma: a population-based cohort study

Background Surgeries performed at night may carry higher risk due to provider fatigue and reduced staffing, but data from neurosurgical populations are limited. We evaluated whether nighttime evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) was associated with increased complications or recurrence. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing CSDH surgery at a tertiary neurosurgical center between 2006 and 2023. The primary exposure was nighttime surgery, defined by procedure start time. Primary outcomes were moderate-to-severe complications (Landriel-Ibáñez grade II–IV within 30 days) and CSDH recurrence (reoperation within 6 months). Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Results Of 2860 patients, 709 (25%) underwent nighttime surgery. Nighttime surgery was independently associated with an increased risk of moderate-to-severe complications (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04–2.37; p = 0.028). This risk peaked during the final hours of the night shift. Although CSDH recurrence was more common after nighttime surgery in unadjusted analysis (13% vs. 10%), this difference was not significant after confounder adjustment. Conclusion Nighttime surgery for CSDH was associated with an increased risk of moderate-to-severe complications. When feasible, surgery should be performed during daytime hours.