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Perioperative Considerations and Positioning for Neurosurgical Procedures pp 241–249Cite as

Postoperative Positioning in the Neurointensive Care Unit

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Abstract

Positioning of patients in the intensive care unit is extremely important to the outcome of critically ill neurosurgical patients. Positioning varies based on comorbidities, type of pathology, timing of injury, and type of surgical intervention. Proper positioning is rooted in an understanding of the interaction of neurosurgical pathology with basic principles of neurophysiology, cardiovascular hemodynamics, and respiratory physiology. Positioning can minimize postoperative pain, prevent delayed operative complications, and mitigate intraoperative complications. In addition, positioning should optimize the postoperative physiologic conditions for liberation from mechanical ventilation and invasive monitors to shorten the overall ICU length of stay. This chapter will provide a review on basic concepts of ICU positioning with a specific review of postoperative positioning considerations in the neurocritical care unit using a framework based on type of neurosurgical procedure performed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Abhi Pandhi & Lucas Elijovich

  2. Semmes-Murphey Neurologic Institute, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Abhi Pandhi & Lucas Elijovich

Authors
  1. Abhi Pandhi
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  2. Lucas Elijovich
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Correspondence to Lucas Elijovich .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Clinic, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

    Adam Arthur

  2. Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Clinic, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

    Kevin Foley

  3. Medical Anesthesia Group, Germantown, Tennessee, USA

    C. Wayne Hamm

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Pandhi, A., Elijovich, L. (2018). Postoperative Positioning in the Neurointensive Care Unit. In: Arthur, A., Foley, K., Hamm, C. (eds) Perioperative Considerations and Positioning for Neurosurgical Procedures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72679-3_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72679-3_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72679-3

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