Extranet

How to perform the Posterior Semont Maneuver

By Interacoustics

Treatment of the posterior canal

Female patient in black clothes sat on examination table with her legs dangling off the edge of the table. Male clinician stood behind is turning her head 45 degrees toward the right. Female patient in black clothes lying on her left on examination table with her legs dangling off the edge of the table. Male clinician stood behind is turning her head 45 degrees toward the right. Female patient in black clothes lying on her right on examination table with her legs dangling off the edge of the table. Male clinician stood behind is turning her head 45 degrees toward the right.
Turn the head 45 degrees away from the affected side Rapidly move into side-lying position on the affected side Rapidly move to patients the other side with the nose 45 degrees down

 

Helpful hints

  • Before performing any form of positioning maneuver, it is important to ascertain whether the patient has current or past injuries of the neck or spine
  • If any possible neurological symptoms occur during the execution of positioning maneuvers, discontinue the procedure IMMEDIATELY and refer for a neurological These symptoms might include, blurred vision, numbness, weakness of the arms or legs or confusion
  • The patient should experience vertigo when moved to each position. If not, it is often useful to perform a slight headshake to loosen otolithic debris

 

Procedure

  1. Begin with the patient sitting on the examination table, facing the examiner, with the patient's head turned away from the affected side at a 45º angle
  2. Guide the patient into a side-lying position toward the affected (This should be a rapid movement and the patient's nose should be pointing upward)
  3. Hold this position for 2-3 minutes
  4. While maintaining the 45º head position, guide the patient in a continuous motion from side-lying on the affected side to side-lying on the unaffected side (The patient's nose should be pointing downward toward the floor)
  5. Hold this position for 3-5 minutes
  6. Guide the patient back into a sitting position

 

References

  • Semont, Freyss G, Vitte E. Curing the BPPV with a liberative maneuver. Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 1998;42:290-3
  • Hughes CA, Proctor Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Laryngoscope. 1997;107:607-613

Presenter

Interacoustics

Available Training

No articles match the selected filters.

Looking for clinical training?

Are you looking for more advanced and clinical training?

Visit the Interacoustics Academy