Posterior spinal surgery and prone position. Is kneeling better for pulmonary mechanics

SUMMARY Background: For posterior spine surgery prone position is required. The prone position compresses the abdomen and restricts the chest wall movement lead- ing to alterations of the pulmonar mechanics. To solve this problem the use of a free hanging abdomen and kneeling position is proposed, features that are provided by the Andrews surgical chest-knee supportable. Objective: To study the changes found on ventilatory variables in patients...