Positiong Part II Flashcards
(154 cards)
What is the prone positioning used for?
Used for surgical access to posterior skull, posterior spine, buttocks, perirectal area, lower extremities.
What are the characteristics of prone position?
- Torso supported on a frame or with rolls that extend from the shoulders to the iliac crest
- supports placed crosswise at the pelvis and shoulders
- Lower legs are supported with pillows
- Upper extremities tucked at sides or supported on armboards with the arms flexed at the shoulders and elbows
- Breasts and genitalia must be positioned to limit pressure
What needs to be assessed prior to prone position?
- Assess preoperative range of motion
- Head, neck, shoulder, and arm mobility
- Arm placement may be limited by ankyloses of shoulder or elbow joints
What is the patient transfer components to the prone position?
- Patient anesthetized on the gurney
- Log-rolled onto the bed, frame, or rolls with good body alignment maintained
- Planning of monitor placement
- Remove monitors or have them remain in situ
- Disconnected from the breathing circuit to avoid accidental extubation
What is anesthetisa’s role in the prone position transfer?
–Control airway
–Control head and neck
–Coordinate turn
What needs to be checked when in/moving to the prone position?
- Keep neck inline with spine
- Make sure you have enough extension on all lines/circuit
- Reassess immediately after the move for endotracheal tube position and adequate ventilation
What are the CVP effects in the prone position?
Positioning devices that allow abdomen to hang freely associated with greater decreases in inferior vena cava pressures than those that compress the abdomen
What are the LV volume effects in the prone position?
Reduced secondary to decreased venous return and increased intrathoracic pressure
What are the CI effects in the prone position?
May be decreased or unchanged in prone position compared with the supine
What are the V/Q effects in the prone position?
- More lung volume is present posteriorly then anteriorly
- Anterior mediastinal structures occupy significant space
- Posterior lung segments are better ventilated
- Ventilation is more uniform and ventilation-perfusion matching is better in the prone position (compared with supine position)
What are the changes in elastance and resistance of diaphragm and abdomenin the prone position?
- Diaphragmatic excursion can be limited by abdominal viscera if the abdomen is compressed by the weight of the body or positioning devices
- If abdomen hangs free gravity allows the abdominal contents to shift reducing interference with diaphragmatic movement
What are the effects of lung capacity in the prone position?
Increase in FRC when the abdomen hangs free
What causes swelling in the head?
Prone and Trendelenburg positions may increase venous pressure in the head with resultant swelling of facial, pharyngeal, and orbital structures
What can cause increased ICP?
Intracranial pressure can be elevated when the head is dependent b/c venous pressure is transmitted to the head and intracranial structures through the valveless jugular systems
What can cause decreased CBF ?
CBF can be decreased when inflow is limited by venous congestion in intracranial structures
What effect can Prone position have on the eyes?
Postoperative visual loss (POVL) may result from an increase in ocular venous pressures and concomitant decrease in ocular perfusion pressure
What can occur in the prone and head down position?
Facial edema, macroglossia, and airway edema may occur following prone and head-down positions
What can prevent facial edema?
10-degree head-up tilt may prevent development of facial edema
Describe the different prone positions in this picture

- A – Classic prone position with torso supported on chest rolls
- B – Jackknife prone position
- C – Prone knee to chest position

What occurs in the A prone variation position?

A - Prone position with Wilson frame
Arms abducted <90 degrees; pressure points padded; chest and abdomen supported away from the bed to minimize abdominal pressure and preserve pulmonary compliance; foam head pillow has cutouts for eyes and nose and a slot to permit the ETT to exit; eyes checked frequently
What occurs in the B prone variation position?

B - Mirror system
Bony structures of head and face supported; monitoring of eyes and airway facilitated with a mirror
What occurs in the C prone variation position?

C - Prone position with horseshoe adapter
Head height adjusted to position neck in neutral position
What occurs in the D prone variation position?

D - Prone position with horseshoe adapter as seen from below
- Horseshoe adapter permits access to airway and visualization of eyes
- Width may be adjusted to ensure proper support by facial bones
What needs to be done to the head in prone position?
Head in neutral position. If lateral rotation may compromise carotid or vertebral arterial blood flow or jugular venous drainage.









