The Impact of Surgeon Preference on Same-Day Discharge Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Surgeon preference plays a critical role in shaping discharge decisions following ACDF. Alongside case complexity, EBL, drain usage, and timing, surgeon preference strongly influences whether a patient is discharged on the same day. Identifying and understanding the concerns underlying variable surgeon practice patterns will help promote standardization of discharge criteria, optimize selection for same-day discharge, and improve healthcare resource utilization.