Infratentorial approach to the pineal region in the prone position: Concorde position

✓ The authors present a new technique for surgery in the pineal region: a supracerebellar approach with the patient in the prone position. The surgeon sits on the left side of the patient, who lies prone with the head flexed and higher than the heart level (“Concorde position”). The main advantages of this arrangement over the sitting position include less fatigue on the part of the surgeon and decreased likelihood of air embolism. Fourteen patients have been operated on in this position. Pooling of blood in the operating field is rarely a problem.