Surgical Positioning Injuries

Surgeons are required, according to the kind of surgery administered to a patient, to position the body of a patient to have a complete range, when administering a procedure, of the operative field.

Improper positioning or failure to protect the patient’s body during surgery, unfortunately, can result in severe injury, which could entail muscular or nerve pain and damage.

For each kind of surgical procedure, the patient’s body is placed in a variation of positions or a particular position to have access to the surgery area.

In preparation of surgical procedure, a nursing staff can position the body. It is the responsibility of the anesthesiologist and/or the surgeon to make sure the body of the patient is placed in the proper position to prevent stretching and damaging nerves.

Surgical positioning injuries can result in heath dilemmas for the patient, long-term or short-term.

The surgical team has a role to prepare each patient to undergo surgery.

A vital component to an adequate surgery is proper placement, to ensure the following:

On the surgical team, every member is offered an unobstructed, clear view of the surgical site of the patient;

The surgeon, to administer the procedure, has the best access;

To administer drugs beneficially, the anesthesiologist is offered the best position;

Prior to, in duration, and subsequent to the completion of surgery, positioning can keep bleeding at a minimum;

Correct positioning can diminish or prevent any likely risk of surgical positioning injuries related to the nerve and area pressure;

Correct positioning can reduce or prevent the likelihood of respiratory issues, namely those associated with anesthesia; and,

Correct positioning can prevent or diminish the likelihood of causing issues in the circulatory system.

The anesthesiologist and surgeons need to consider various factors, which include age, height, and weight of the patient, to make certain of the best position which can minimize injuries from surgical positioning.

The nutritional status of the patient, duration and kind of scheduled surgery, and required anesthesia, additionally, should be considered in addition to any medical or physical conditions, which could have a direct effect on the outcome.

Any medical history or pre-existing medical condition of the patient can be a serious factor which could have a direct effect on the success of the surgery.

Surgery tools and padding may be required for any patients who sustain diabetes, circulatory issues, or other medical conditions.

The physician can place a body in a number of positions, which entail: lying on the back; lying face down; lying on either side; seated; position of knees to chest; legs elevated in stirrups; head positioned lower than feet; feet positioned higher than head; and placed in jackknife position, lying face down.

Surgeries are risky, as with any kind of medical procedure. However, any surgical team error in positioning the patient’s body can be due to medical malpractice.

The medical staff is responsible to make certain that in the best position the body is placed to minimize surgical positioning injuries.

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