Lithotomy

Question 1

Why should knees be kept together and down slowly

Answer 1

to prevent pelvic injury and hypotension due to sudden rush of blood into vasodilated extremities

Question 2

Safe management of lithotomy

Answer 2

legs - 2 people move legs up and out together
Avoid flexion of knees and hips to more than 90 degrees to protect pelvic nerves
Attention to nerves - legs should be positioned outside of lithotomy poles to avoid peroneal nerve damage
pad knees and ankles to prevent contact with poles
knees kept together and down slowly

Question 3

Hazards of supine

Answer 3

vital capacity decreased due to diaphragm pressure on viscera
Risk of aspiration