Investigation of Cerebral Desaturation Events during Shoulder Arthroscopy in the Beach Chair Position

Abstract

Patients undergoing shoulder surgery in the beach chair position may be at increased risk for serious neurocognitive complications because of cerebral ischemia. The upright position places the patient at risk for decreased cerebral perfusion due to hypotension. We sought to define the incidence, patient risk factors, and clinical sequelae of intraoperative cerebral desaturation events during arthroscopic shoulder surgery performed in the beach chair position.