Entrapment of intracranial and particularly ventricular air requiring emergent EVD occurred in 3.9% cases of intracranial surgery in the sitting position. Especially the opening of the fourth ventricle was associated with the development of VTP, which should warrant particularly diligent postoperative observation of these patients. In cases without neurological symptoms, the rate of spontaneous air resorption is sufficiently high to warrant expectant management.