Assessment of Driving Restrictions Following Craniotomy: A Survey of Canadian Neurosurgeons

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing craniotomy experience a higher risk of seizures in the ensuing months. Consensus is lacking regarding the appropriate timeframe for safe return to driving following craniotomy in patients not otherwise limited by neurological deficits or a history of epilepsy. METHODS: The Canadian Neurosurgery Research Collaborative (CNRC) distributed an anonymous, voluntary, electronic cross-sectional survey via SurveyMonkey to Canadian neurosurgeons. The survey comprised 16 questions designed to assess practice variations regarding recommendations for return to driving following craniotomy, stratified according to pathological diagnosis. RESULTS: Forty-eight Canadian neurosurgeons responded to the survey. Driving recommendations varied greatly, with most surgeons recommending return to driving within one month of the craniotomy. The rationale behind these restrictions varied widely, consistent with the lack of evidence-based data to guide decision-making. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the lack of standardized practices regarding return to driving recommendations for patients undergoing craniotomy without prior seizures. Development of national return to driving guidelines would assist Canadian clinicians in making informed decisions regarding the optimal timeframe for the safe return to driving.