Objective: Determine the effect of the postoperative trendelenburg position on the recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) in patients undergoing surgery. Materials and Methods: An open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in three hospitals in Medellín. Patients with CSH were enrolled and assigned to the trendelenburg position (30° leg elevation and 10° head tilt) or a flat bed for 24 hours postoperatively. CSH recurrence was measured at 3 months, along with functional outcome (modified Rankin scale), adverse events, and comfort (Likert scale).
Objective: Determine the effect of the postoperative trendelenburg position on the recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) in patients undergoing surgery. Materials and Methods: An open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in three hospitals in Medellín. Patients with CSH were enrolled and assigned to the trendelenburg position (30° leg elevation and 10° head tilt) or a flat bed for 24 hours postoperatively. CSH recurrence was measured at 3 months, along with functional outcome (modified Rankin scale), adverse events, and comfort (Likert scale).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
254
In addition to the management described above, the postoperative position was modified in the intervention group (trendelenburg). After admission to the hospital unit (general ward, special care, or intensive care unit), the patient's position was adjusted with a 30° leg elevation and a 10° downward head tilt. Proper positioning was verified with a goniometer. This position was maintained until the drains were removed, and the patient was then positioned according to usual care. If the patient decided to get out of bed, the nurse occluded the drains and reopened them when the patient returned to the position described for each group.
Clinica CES
Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
RECRUITINGHospital San Vicente Fundación
Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
RECRUITINGInstituto Neurologico de Colombia
Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
RECRUITINGRecurrence
Proportion of patients who experienced recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma at 3 months of follow-up and required repeat surgery
Time frame: 3 months
proportion of patients with favorable functional outcome at 3 months, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale.
Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients with favorable functional outcome at three months, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The validated scale has seven categories: no symptoms (0), no clinically significant disability despite symptoms (1), mild disability (2), moderate disability (3), moderately severe disability (4), severe disability (5), and death (6); in this trial, a score of 0 to 2 was considered a favorable outcome, as it is associated with functional independence.
Time frame: 3 months
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