Lived experience of a patient who presented postcraniotomy delirium: A case study
Keywords:
Intensive Care Unit, Critical Care Nursing, Delirium, Craniotomy, Neuroprotection, Neurological Rehabilitation (MeSH)Abstract
Introduction. Postoperative delirium is a frequent complication in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures and can impair functional and cognitive connectivity. This study investigates the subjective experience of neurosurgical patients and integrates it with neuroscience principles to understand its effects, which, although clinically considered reversible, extend beyond discharge from the Intensive Care Unit.
Objective. To understand the life experience of a person who presented with post-craniotomy delirium. Methodology. A case study using qualitative techniques and a phenomenological approach. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation. Data analysis was conducted using an inductive thematic process, which allowed for the grouping of central themes into thematic axes derived from the meanings expressed by the participant.
Case presentation. A 54-year-old male presented with hyperactive/mixed delirium during the immediate postoperative period following a craniotomy.
Results. Three central categories emerged: traumatic hospital experience, ongoing cognitive and emotional changes, and neurological sequelae with a process of physical adaptation. The participant described confusion, disorientation, fragmented memories, and feelings of insecurity that persisted even after hospital discharge.
Conclusions. Postcraniotomy delirium transcends temporary neurological impairment, generating a significant emotional and social impact. Nursing support and continuous neurological monitoring are essential to promote the patient’s comprehensive recovery.
References
Acosta-Núñez, J. M., Vásquez-Guerrero, M. J., Chávez-Coronado, C. D. & Super-Cholota, E. A. (2025). Atención de enfermería en paciente posquirúrgico mediato de craneotomía evacuatoria. Gaceta Médica Estudiantil, 6(1), 1-18. https://revgacetaestudiantil.sld.cu/index.php/gme/article/view/601
Ali, M. & Cascella, M. (13 de marzo de 2024). ICU delirium. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559280/
Corona, J., Iñiguez, H. & Medina, E. (2022). Prevalencia, factores de riesgo y desenlace de delirium en la
Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Ángeles del Carmen. Medicina Crítica, 36(4), 215–222. https://doi.org/10.35366/105792
Coyago Puente, J. L., Imbaquingo, K. & García-Beracierto, J. (2024). Abordaje integral para prevenir alteraciones mentales en pacientes de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Revista Científica CONECTIVIDAD, 5(4), 98–113. https://doi.org/10.37431/conectividad.v5i4.183
Dong, J., Sui, W. & Zhuang, Y. (2025). Patients’ and family members’ dyadic experience of post-operative delirium in the intensive care unit: A qualitative study. Nursing in Critical Care, 30(2), e13297, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.13297
Moreno-Pérez, L. (24 de febrero de 2023). Secuelas y consecuencias de la estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos: Una mirada desde la fonoaudiología. Iberoreport. https://doi.org/10.33881/IBR0023
Gálvez-Vila, R. M., Ramos-Paret, C. C. & Gómez-Pérez, E. A. (2025). Impacto del estrés postraumático en pacientes de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. MedEst: Revista Científica Estudiantil de Matanzas, 5(1), e317. https://revmedest.sld.cu/index.php/medest/article/view/289
Gilabert, F. (2025). La división disciplinar del tiempo en el joven Heidegger: Las influencias de su
concepción de los tiempos de la ciencia y la historia. Protrepsis, 15(29), 45-61. https://doi.org/10.32870/prot.i29.509.
He, M., Zhu, Z., Jiang, M., Liu, X., Wu, R., Zhou, J., Chen, X. & Liu, C. (2024). Risk factors for postanesthetic emergence delirium in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology, 36(3), 190–200. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANA.0000000000000942
Heidegger, M. (2003 [1927]). Ser y tiempo (trad. de J. E. Rivera). Trotta. Huidobro-Salazar, J. F., Romero-Vinet, H. & Zulueta-Barraza, J. M. (2021). Recomendaciones para un protocolo ERAS de craneotomía electiva. Revista Chilena de Neurocirugía, 47(2), 84–91. https://
doi.org/10.36593/revchilneurocir.v47i2.207
Khan, I. & Khan, M. A. B. (2022). Sensory and Perceptual Alterations. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563136/
Kuusisto-Gussmann, E., Höckelmann, C., von der Lühe, V., Schmädig, R., Baltes, M. & Stephan, A. (2021). Patients’ experiences of delirium: A systematic review and meta-summary of qualitative research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(9), 3692–3706. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14865
Mart, M. F., Roberson, W. S., Salas, B., Pandharipande, P. P. & Ely, E. W. (2021). Prevention and management of delirium in the intensive care unit. Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 42(1), 112–126. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1710572
Mora, F. (2026). Categorías emergentes de la experiencia vivida en el delirio post-neuroquirúrgico [Infografía]. Canva. https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCYoTeTKA/I58TFkex9rUwbXNE4iZQ7w/edit
Morandi, A., Piva, S., Ely, E. W., Myatra, S. N., Salluh, J., Amare, D., Azoulay, E., Bellelli, G., Csomos, A., Fan, E., Fagoni, N., Girard, T., Heras La Calle, G., Inoue, S., Lim, C. M., Kaps, R., Kotfis, K., Koh, Y., Misango, D., Pandharipande, P. P., Permpikul, C., Cheng Tan, T., Wang, D. X., Sharshar , T., Shehabi , Y., Skrobik, Y., Singh, J. M., Slooter, A., Smith, M., Tsuruta, R. & Latronico, N. (2017). Worldwide survey of the ABCDEF bundle. Critical Care Medicine, 45(11), e1111–e1122. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000002640
Nassar, A. P., Ely, E. W. & Fiest, K. M. (2023). Long-term outcomes of intensive care unit delirium. Intensive Care Medicine, 49, 677–680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-023-07029-4
Sahawneh, F. & Boss, L. (2021). Non-pharmacologic interventions for the prevention of delirium in the intensive care unit: An integrative review. Nursing in Critical Care, 26(3), 166-175. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12594
Stollings, J. L., Kotfis, K., Chanques, G., Pun, B. T, Pandharipande, P. P. & Ely, E. W. (2021). Delirium in critical illness: Clinical manifestations, outcomes, and management. Intensive Care Medicine, 47, 1089–1103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-021-06503-1
Valdivieso-Jiménez, G., Valencia-Mesías, G. & Paucar-Alfaro, J. (2022). Factores asociados a delirium en pacientes hospitalizados durante pandemia de COVID-19. Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatría. 53(4), 529-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcp.2022.10.006
Wang, X.-J. (2025). Research progress of postoperative delirium in neurosurgery. World Journal of Psychiatry, 15(4), 104708. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v15.i4.104708
Wilson, L. D., Maiga, A. W., Lombardo, S., Nordness, M. F., Haddad, D. N., Rakhit, S., Smith, L. F., Rivera, E. L., Cook, M .R., Thompson, J. L., Raman, P. & Patel, M. B. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors for intensive care unit delirium after traumatic brain injury: A retrospective cohort study. Neurocritical Care, 38, 752–760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-022-01666-1
Yoo, J., Joo, B., Park, J., Park, H. H., Park, M., Ahn, S. J., Suh, S. H., Kim, J.-J. & Oh, J. (2022). Delirium-related factors and their prognostic value in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain metastasis. Frontiers in Neurology, 13, 988293, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.988293
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The moral rights belong to the author, the economic rights belong to the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The moral rights belong to the author, the economic rights belong to the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla.
