The sitting position in neurosurgery: a retrospective analysis of 488 cases.

The records of 488 patients who underwent neurosurgical procedures in the sitting position were reviewed with special attention to the development of complications related to this operative position. The complications encountered included air embolus, pneumocephalus, subdural hematoma, compressive peripheral neuropathy, and orthopedic and dermatological problems. The 30-day operative mortality was 2.5%. These complications and methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed in detail, and the literature concerning the sitting position in neurosurgery is reviewed.