Cerebellar retractions: significance and sequelae

Does cerebellar retraction during operations in the posterior fossa contribute to increased morbidity and mortality, and if so, what are the critical factors involved? In order to answer these questions, graded retractor pressures of 10, 20, and 30 mm Hg were applied for one hour to the cerebellar hemispheres of dogs in the sitting position. It was noted that the amount of mechanical pressure and the difference between systemic perfusion pressure and retractor pressure were important determinants of the outcome. The mechanism of damage from retractor pressure is discussed.