Sitting Position for Posterior Fossa Tumor in Infants: A Technical Report

Surgery for posterior fossa tumors in sitting position is performed in very few neurosurgical centers all over the world. It carries the potential risk of air embolism with consequent related morbidity. However, posterior fossa surgery in the sitting position is still performed in neurosurgical centers with considerable expertise including neurosurgeons and neuroanesthesiologists. In older children and young adults, the sitting position is given with the appropriate modifications in the operating surgical table and the head fixation system. In infants, due to the small size of the baby and delicate physiology, the sitting position using standard protocol is challenging. A custom designed chair and its suitability for sitting position in infants is described. The chair assembly is secured to the operating surgical table. It is meant to align the infant in sitting position in an appropriate manner. The relevant surgical details including the advantages and limitations are discussed.