Posture and ventilation during posterior fossa and cervical operations. Current practice in the United Kingdom.

Details of the method of lung ventilation and the preferred position of the patient during posterior fossa (infratentorial) surgery and cervical operations were sought from 37 neurosurgical centres in the United Kingdom. The sitting position remains popular (52%). Although in the majority the use of controlled ventilation is routine practice in a significant number (22%), the maintenance of spontaneous breathing is preferred, particularly during posterior fossa surgery. Although the potential hazards of the sitting position are recognized, there is no real evidence from this survey of any move to abandon its use.