The role of postoperative patient posture in the recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Chronic subdural hematoma is known to have a significant recurrence rate. In this report, we evaluate the relationship between the recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma and postoperative patient posture.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective randomized study of 46 patients with chronic subdural hematoma treated surgically at the Osaka City General Hospital from January 1997 to December 1999. In Group A, the patients were kept in a supine position for 3 days after the operation. In Group B, the patients assumed a sitting position on the day after the operation.


RESULTS
The recurrence rates in Group A and Group B were not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
Assuming an upright posture soon after operation in cases of chronic subdural hematoma is not thought to be a risk factor for recurrence.
Nakajima
Hideki
H
Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka City General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
Yasui
Toshihiro
T
Nishikawa
Misao
M
Kishi
Hiroshige
H
Kan
Masanori
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D020200:Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors