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. (C) 2002 by Elsevier Science Inc.