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Intracranial Procedures in the Lateral Position

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Perioperative Considerations and Positioning for Neurosurgical Procedures

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Abstract

The lateral position in cranial neurosurgery is commonly used to access pathology involving the middle and posterior fossa. Neurosurgical approaches that may require lateral positioning of the patient are numerous and include the middle fossa, retrosigmoid, posterior transpetrosal, and far lateral approach. In addition, it can be useful in operations involving the supratentorial region, such as the occipital transtentorial approach. Proper patient positioning involves multidisciplinary input with the goal of optimizing the surgical approach while minimizing additional morbidity. Several well-recognized adverse outcomes associated with the lateral position include peripheral neuropathies and pressure ulcers. Other documented complications include postoperative visual loss (POVL) and acute postoperative sialadenitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Semmes-Murphey Clinic, Memphis, TN, USA

    L. Madison Michael II

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    L. Madison Michael II & Douglas R. Taylor

Authors
  1. L. Madison Michael II
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  2. Douglas R. Taylor
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Madison Michael II .

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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Madison Michael, L., Taylor, D.R. (2018). Intracranial Procedures in the Lateral Position. 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_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72679-3_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72678-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72679-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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