Positioning the Surgical Pt

Pt. II

Source: Phippen, M.L. & Wells, M.P.

(1995). Perioperative nursing handbook.
(p. 165-167).

Lateral Decubitus Position

Lateral Decubitus Position

Staffing Requirments
The Perioperative nurse and three asst are
the minimum nursing staff needed.

Supplies and Equipment

Pillows
Headrest
Padding for bony prominences (foam, sheepskin, blankets, pillows)
Arm boards
Safety strap
beanbag

Lateral Decubitus Position

Transfer the pt to the OR bed
Transfer the pt to the OR bed.

Prepare the asst.s

Ensure that the asst.s understand their individual roles.

The circulating nurse and one asst stand on the right side of the OR bed if the
pts left side with be facing down. If the pt.s right side will be facing down, the
circulating nurse and asst stand on the left side of the OR bed. The other two
asst.s stand on the opposite side of the OR bed, one across from the circulating
nurse and the other near the foot of the OR bed.

Lateral Decubitus Position

Turn and Position the Pt.
The anesthetist controls the head and neck and initiates movement.
After the pts arms are placed at his or her sides, the circulating nurse and asst reach under
the pts shoulders and hips, lift slightly, and draw the pts far shoulder and hip toward the
middle of the OR bed. Next they concurrently rotate the pt to the lateral position.
The asst. across from the circulating nurse helps rotate the pt. The asst near the foot of the
OR bed controls the pts legs.
Support the pt until after the anesthetist has reestablished ventilation. Place a rolled towel or
other type of padding (axillary roll) under the pt below the axilla, not in the axilla.
Secure the pt with tape, beanbags, rolls or other type support. Flex the downside legs at the
knee to add stability.
Place a pillow or padding between the pts legs. After positioning the pt, ensure that the pts
head, neck, and spine are in proper alignment and that the axillary roll is in proper position
below the axilla, the genitalia and breast are free from pressure, the legs and knees are
padded, no part of the pts anatomy is resting on an unpadded surface, and the other
extremities are secured away form the OR bed joints (breaks) and attachments.
Stabilize and secure the pts body to the OR bed.

Prone Position

Prone Position
Typically, the pt is placed under general anesthesia on the gurney before being
transferred to the OR bed. However, the pt may be anesthetized on the OR
bed and then rotated into the prone position.

Staffing Requirements
The perioperative nurse and three assistants are the minimal nursing staff needed.

Supplies and Equipment

Pillows
Headrest
Chest rolls or a supporting frame
Padding for bony prominences and
the dorsa of the feet (foam, sheepskin,
blankets, pillows), arm boards

Arm restrains
Safety strap
Face rest (horseshoe, Mayfield, etc.)
Padded knee rest
Table extension

Prone Position
Procedure
Transfer the pt to the OR Bed
Transfer and prepare the pt for anesthesia administration in the supine pos.

Turn the pt on the OR bed

Prepare the asst. by ensuring that they understand their individual roles. The
circulating nurse and one asst stand on one side of the OR bed.
The anesthetist controls the head and neck and initiates the movement. After the
pts arms are placed at his sides, the circulating nurse and asst. reach under the pts
shoulders and hips, lift slightly, and draw the pts far shoulder and hip toward the
middle of the OR bed.

The nurse and the asst concurrently rotate the pt to the lateral position. The asst.
across form the circulating nurse helps rotate the pt. The asst near the foot of the
bed should control the legs. Continue rotating the pt while centerine the trunk on
the OR bed.
Support the pt until after the anesthetist has reestablished ventilaiton. Place the
positioning devices under the pt.

Prone Position
Place the pt in position
After turning the pt, ensure that the chest rolls extend from the acromioclavicular
joint to the iliac crest and do not impinge on the chest expansion.
Ensure that the breasts are displaced medially on the chest rolls.
Check that the head neck, spine and legs are in proper alignment.
Ensure that the legs are uncrossed and slightly apart.
Check and free genitalia from pressure.

Pad iliac crests and knees. Support the dorsum of the foot with a pillow to prevent
pressure on the toes.
Ensure that no part of the pts anatomy is resting on an unpadded surface. Ensure
that the extremities are secured away from the OR bed joints (breaks) and
attachments. Secure the body to the bed.

Position the arms.

If arm boards are used, the pts arms should be rotated cephalad in a plane roughly
parallel to the sagital plane of the body.

The arms are positioned above the pts head with the elbows flexed and secured to
the arm boards.

Prone Position
If the arms are placed at the pts side, the palms should be turned toward the
body or the bed, and the full length of the arms needs to be secured by a draw
sheet or a padded toboggan.

Reassess the Pt
Reassess the pt before draping.
Ensure that the chest rolls extend from the clavicle to the iliac crest and do not
impinge on the chest expansion.
Check that the female breasts are displaced medially and the chest rolls.
The body should be properly aligned and the safety strap in place.
The arms should be properly secured and placed on the arm boards or at the
pts side.
Check that there is no pressure on the genitalia.
The dorsum of the foot should be supported to prevent pressure on the toes.

Jackknife (Kraske) Position

Jackknife (Kraske) Position

Staffing Requirements
The perioperative nurse and three assistants are the minimal nursing staff needed.

Supplies and Equipment

Pillows

Headrest
Chest rolls or a supporting frame
Padding for bony prominences and
the dorsa of the feet (foam, sheepskin,
blankets, pillows)
arm boards

Arm restrains
Safety strap
Face rest (horseshoe, Mayfield, etc.)
Padded knee rest
Table extension

Jackknife (Kraske) Position

Procedure
Transfer the pt to the OR Bed
Transfer and prepare the pt for anesthesia administration in the supine pos.

Turn the pt on the OR bed

Prepare the asst. by ensuring that they understand their individual roles. The
circulating nurse and one asst stand on one side of the OR bed and the other two
asst.s stand on the other side of the OR bed.
Position the pt as described for the prone position.

Adjust the OR Bed

Ensure that the pts hips are positioned over the OR bed break.
Check that there is no pressure on the pts genitalia.
Reverse flex the OR bed until the pt is in an inverted V position.

Reassess the Pt.

Reassess the pt before draping for any potential discrepancies as described for in
the prone position.

Sitting Position

Sitting Position
Staffing Requirements
The perioperative nurse is the minimal staff needed.
Additional staffing requirements need to be noted on the perioperative Nsg care
plan.

Supplies and Equipment

Arm boards
Arm restraints
Head holder (skull clamp, Mayfield, etc.
Padding for bony prominences (foam, sheepskin, blankets, pillows)
Padded fottboard
Saftety strap
Antigravity suit
Medical antishock trousers
Elastic bandages
Table extension
Toboggans

Sitting Position
Transfer the pt to the operating rm.
Transfer and prepare the pt for administration of anesthesia in the supine position.
Prepare the pt
Before placing the pt in the sitting position, wrap both legs of the pt to the groin with
antiembolic stockings.
The surgeon may request that an antigravity suit or medical antishock trousers be applied.

Generously pad the pt under the buttocks and place padding under ea heel.
A padded footboard should be attached to the end of the OR bed.
Modify the OR bed to the sitting position
Elevate the pts back, flex the bed, lower the foot piece.

After the pt is in position, place the pts arms on a pillow that has been set on her or his lap
and secure with 3-inch adhesive tape attached to the OR bed frame. Pad ea elbow with
rubber.
If available, place the pts arms in arm holders.
Attach the accessories for the skull clamp.
Reassess the pt
Check for proper alignment
If pt is male, check to ensure that the scrotum and penis are not twisted or compressed
between the legs.