Lumbar spine
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 December 2010
Summary
Prone position
(Figures 100 and 101)
Transfer the patient on to the operating table in the prone position. This requires rolling the patient from the supine position on to the arms of three or more assistants, who then lift the patient on to the operating table
In the prone position the patient must have their chest and pelvis supported so as to allow free movement of the abdomen. This may be achieved by lifting the patient on to a special mattress (e.g. the Montreal mattress) or frame (e.g. the Railton–Hall frame)
Rest the head on a suitable support (e.g. a pillow or a head ring)
Abduct the shoulders 90° and flex the elbows 90° so that the arms lie supported on a suitable arm board (move the arms through into position from the side in a front crawl swimming motion).
Montreal mattress (Figure 101): a shaped mattress with a central cut-out for the abdomen so that the abdomen can lie free, which allows venous drainage into the inferior vena cava and thus reduces venous plexus filling around the spinal cord.
Railton–Hall frame: a frame with four hinged pads that support the chest and pelvis in the prone position, allowing the abdomen to lie free.
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- Positioning Patients for Surgery , pp. 100 - 104Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009