title: The role of postoperative patient posture in the recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective randomized trial.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka City General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasui
authors.forename: Misao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: Hiroshige
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kan
mesh_terms: 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