J Nurs Acad Soc.  1997 Sep;27(3):503-509.

Effect of Head Elevation and Position on Intracranial Pressure(ICP) in the neurosurgical Patient with a Cerebral Aneurysm

• Park HJ
• Choi KO
• Lee BO
• Jung EJ
• Yoo YS

Abstract

This study was undertaken to identify optimal head elevation and position in the care of the neurosurgical patient with a cerebral aneurysm. The effects of 0degree, 15degrees and 30degrees head elevation and three positions(supine, side lying position opposite to the operation site, and side lying position on the same side as the operation site) on ICP was studied in fourteen neurosurgical patients with cerebral aneurysms. The results are as follows : 1. The mean intracranial pressure was significantly lower when the patient's head was elevated at 30degrees as compared to 0degree and 15degrees. 2. The mean intracranial pressure was significantly lower when the patient was positioned in the supine as compared to side lying positioned in the supine as compared to side lying position opposite to the operation site and side lying position on the same side as the operation site. The data indicate the head elevation to 30degrees and the supine position reduce ICP in neurosurgical patients with cerebral aneurysm.

Keyword

ICP; Intracranial Pressure; Head Position

MeSH Terms

Deception
Head*
Humans
Intracranial Aneurysm*
Intracranial Pressure
Supine Position