The traditional Tübingen University Hospital was founded in 1805 and is located only 20 minutes by car from Stuttgart airport. It is one of the 34 university hospitals in Germany that contribute to the successful combination of high-performance medicine, research and teaching.

The Department of Neurosurgery is headed by Professor Marcos Tatagiba and offers the entire range of treatment methods in neurosurgery. The number of neurosurgical interventions performed at our hospital each year has reached almost 3.500. Skull base surgeries form a major part of our clinical work. With approx. 120 vestibular schwannoma surgeries each year, we are one of the most experienced center in Germany. A high proportion of these surgeries are performed in semi-sitting position. The Department of Anesthesiology is headed by Professor Peter Rosenberger and covers patient care in the OR, the interdisciplinary intensive care unit, emergency service and pain management. This results in 33.000 anethesiologic interventions per year. Together, we have 14-years of common experience (>1400 cases) in semi-sitting position.

The semi-sitting position

Due to potential complications (e.g. pneumocephalus, venous air embolism) associated with the semi-sitting position (SSP), this positioning is still controversial. In contrast, the benefits of SSP are undisputable. The SSP allows gravitational drainage of venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid and better visualization of anatomical structures. Thus, SSP reduces cerebellar edema, surgery time, and blood loss improving the patient outcome. There are also several advantages to the anesthesiologist, such as the possibility of venting at lower pressure, less impairment of the diaphragm motion, and improved access to the tracheal tube. To avoid SSP-related complications a joint effort between neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists is mandatory.

The workshop

Aiming to contribute the knowledge and to reduce preconceptions, we have initiated the "International Workshop on Semisitting Position" in 2013. Due to the CORONA pandemic we had to pause this annual meeting.

This workshop addresses to both anesthesiologists and neurosurgeons interested to refine their knowledge in SSP. The number of participants is limited to a number of eight to allow a lively exchange with the faculty and to enable hands-on training. The workshop is structured in a theoretical part providing a variety of interesting presentations and a hand-on part in the OR.

It is supported and granted by 6 CME point of the Landesärztekammer Baden-Württemberg.