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Anesthesia II > Positioning > Flashcards

Positioning Flashcards

1
Q

How should patients be moved during surgery?

A

Slow position changes, especially at the en of along case

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2
Q

Length of the OR table

A

80.7 inches

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3
Q

What can happen with irregular head positioning?

A

Brachial plexus injury, excess swelling,

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4
Q

Where is the drawsheet placed when tucking the patient’s arms?

A

Under the pt’s hip or torso. NOT under the mattress.

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5
Q

How long is the anesthesia bed?

A

6’5’’

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6
Q

How is lumbar support obtained in the supine position?

A

Slight flexion of the hips and knees by placing a pillow under the knees (be careful that it isn’t too hard or too high or could cause problems with venous return). With bend of the legs, should have SCD and TEDs to improve venous return and decrease risk of DVT

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7
Q

What are the mechanisms of nerve injury?

A

Stretching, compression, kinking, ischemia, transection

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8
Q

How can brachial plexus injury occur in the supine position?

A

Neck extension or turned to one side, arm abduction > 90 degrees, arm/arm board falls off the table.
Sternal retraction during cardiac surgery is also associated with plexus injury.
- Overall these are mostly due to stretching

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9
Q

S/S of brachial plexus injury

A

Damage can be specific or general to the entire arm

  • Electrical shock / burning sensation shooting down arm
  • Arm numbness or weakness
  • Absent or weak motor control of shoulder and elbow
  • Pain
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10
Q

How does injury to the radial nerve occur in the supine position?

A

External compression of the radial nerve against the lateral aspect of the humerus from:

  • Surgical retractors
  • Ether (anesthesia) screen
  • Mismatched arm board
  • Repeated BP cuff inflation
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11
Q

Injury to the radial nerve causes

A

Wrist drop, weakness in abducting the thumb, and numbness of the posterior thumb, and first 2 fingers

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12
Q

This is the most common nerve injury in the supine position

A

Ulnar nerve

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13
Q

Ulnar nerve injury is more common in (males/females)

A

Males

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14
Q

How does ulnar nerve injury occur?

A

Stretch and compression
Compression of the nerve in the cubital groove between the olecranon of the ulna and the median epichondyle of the humerus.
Stretch from severe elbow flexion, dislocation with pronation of the hand, nerve dislocation over the median epichondyle with stretching/compression against the bed.

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15
Q

Symptoms of Ulnar Nerve Injury

A

Claw hand!
Inability to abduct or oppose the 5th finger. Weak grip on the ulnar side of fist.
Loss of sensation of 4th and 5th fingers
Atrophy of intrinsic hand muscles

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16
Q

How to reduce the risk of ulnar nerve injury

A

Pad the arm boards
Supinate the arms
Make sure that surgical staff aren’t compressing the patient’s arm
Avoid downward compression from strap
Place the BP cuff proximally so that it doesn’t compress on the ulnar groove/cubital tunnel
Avoid prolonged FLEXION of the elbow!**

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17
Q

CV effects of the supine position

A

MINIMAL effects on circulation and perfusion
Initial increase in venous return (causes increase in preload, SV, CO, BP, and baroreceptor-initiated decrease in HR and PVR)

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18
Q

These measures will increase venous return to the heart

A

SCDs, TEDs, uncrossing the legs, padding the heels, pillow under the knees, knee/hip flexion

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19
Q

Effect of IVC compression

A

The IVC can become compressed by a large abdomen (pregnancy, obesity, ascites, masses, etc), decreasing venous return, preload, and CO.

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20
Q

Effect of the supine position on vent status

A

Slight upward displacement of diaphragm/compression of lung bases causes a decrease in FRC by 800mL
Exacerbated by muscle relaxants (because this causes the loss of chest wall recoil that normally opposes the want of the lungs to collapse)- this is overcome with PPV

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21
Q

Effect of the supine position on CBF

A

Minimal change

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22
Q

Benefits of trendelenberg

A

Tx of hypotension by increasing venous return
Decreasing risk of air embolism
Facilitates cannulation during central line placement
Improves surgical exposure for abdominal / laparoscopic surgery

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23
Q

Shoulder braces should be placed here

A

Over the acromioclavicular joint. This avoids pressure on the clavicle, which would compress the brachial plexus

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24
Q

What should you do if your patient starts sliding in trendelenberg?

A

You can extend the bed, and also make sure nothing is pulling from their movement.
Slide the patient back.
Place in reverse T if at an appropriate place in surgery

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25
Q

VCV effect of trendelenberg

A

1) Increase in venous return (as much as 1L extra into central circulation) and reversal of hypotension (use for hypotension is controversial- short term only!!). Remember that this increase in CO will also put more demand on the heart.
2) Activation of baroreceptors- decrease in SVR (vasodilation) and HR—this effect can make shock worse in the long run. Short term use only!
3) Decreased blood flow to the lower extremities
4) Compression of heart by abdominal contents

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26
Q

Effect of the trendelenberg position on ventilation

A

1) Abd contents move cephalad, impeding diaphagmatic excursion, compressing lung bases, decreasing FRC, and increasing PIP.
2) V:Q mismatch because perfusion of lung apex exceeds ventilation of lung apex
3) Aspiration risk
4) Face and airway edema, which can lead to airway obstruction
5) ETT shift into R mainstem
6) Pulmonary edema and congestion

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27
Q

These may be indicators of airway edema

A

Lip and periorbital edema

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28
Q

Effect of the trendelenberg position on the head

A

Increase in intracranial vascular congestion leading to increased ICP!
IOP rises as well.
Patients with IICP and severe glaucoma are not good candidates for this position

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29
Q

Surgical use of reverse T

A

Enhance exposure of the upper abdomen by shifting abdominal contents caudad (laparoscopic cholecystectomy)

Variations on reverse T may be used for shoulder, neck, breast, or intracranial surgery

30
Q

Reverse T and nerve injury

A

Excessive plantar flexion of the feet for extended periods of time causes anterior tibial nerve injury and foot drop
- To avoid, periodically flatten the bed and reposition to avoid foot injury

31
Q

CV effects of reverse T

A

1) Reduced preload, reduced SV, reduced CO (20-40%) and decreased BP
2) Activation of the RAAS (kidneys notice the fall in CO)
3) Venous pooling (TEDs and SCDs)

32
Q

Effect of the reverse T on ventilation

A

Increase in FRC because abdominal contents are out of the way. Ventilation is reasier.

33
Q

Effect of the reverse T on CBF

A

CBF decreases proportional to the degree of head elevation (up to 20%)
Decrease in ICP

34
Q

Placement of the patient in the lithotomy position

A

Bend knees, separate, and lift simultaneously (to avoid torsion of the lumbar spine)
Hips flexed 80-100 degrees
Legs abducted 30-45 degrees from midline
Lower legs should be parallel to the torso

35
Q

Types of leg support in lithotomy and their associated risks for nerve injury

A

1) Calf-support stirrups (femoral, sciatic, lower leg nerves)
2) Candy cane stirrups (common peroneal, sciatic, and femoral)
3) Knee crutch style (popliteal nerve, femoral, and sciatic)

36
Q

Overall, lithotomy position can be associated with these nerve injuries

A

Femoral, sciatic, common peroneal, saphenous, obturator, LFC.

37
Q

Frequency of nerve injury with lithotomy position

A

1:3608 patients
78% common peroneal
15% sciatic
7% femoral

38
Q

Increased risk of nerve injury in lithotomy position is associated with

A

low BMI, prolonged surgery, recent cigarette smoking

39
Q

Symptoms of common peroneal nerve damage

A

Foot drop, inability to evert the foot, inability to dorsiflex the toes

40
Q

Sciatic nerve injury can be caused by

A

Excessive external rotation of the hips

Pressure in the sciatic notch from stretching

41
Q

Symptoms of sciatic nerve damage

A

Weakness/paralysis of muscles below the knee
Foot drop
Numbness of the foot and lateral half of calf

42
Q

Femoral nerve can be injured by

A

Excessive angulation/abduction of the thigh and external rotation of the hips

43
Q

Damage to femoral nerve causes

A

Inability to flex the hip and extend the knee. Loss of sensation over the anterior and superior aspects of the thigh

44
Q

Risk of compartment syndrome

A

Procedures over 2-3 hours in length and in the lithotomy or lateral decub positions

45
Q

Effect of lithotomy on lower extremity perfusion

A

Perfusion pressure decreases by 2mmHg for each 2.5cm increase in vertical height

46
Q

Lithotomy is often combined with this position

A

Trendelenberg

47
Q

Effect of lithotomy on CBF

A

Transient increase in cerebral venous blood flow and ICP

48
Q

Frames used for the prone position

A

1) Wilson Frame

2) Jackson Table

49
Q

How to move patient into prone position

A

On Stretcher:
- Induction/intubation
- Line placement
- NGT/OGT, esophageal steth, bite block, foley
- Eye protection!!
- Secure the shit out of everything!!
- When about to move, disconnect most of the monitors except pulse ox
Flip to table:
- Anesthesia has head/neck/ETT
Once on Table
- FIRST CHECK BREATH SOUNDS (this is our chance to put them back on the stretcher if they have to be re-intubated
- Reconnect everything
- Make sure all the lines still work
- Properly position the patient and make sure

50
Q

What should you do with boobs in the prone position?

A

Place them in a neutral position or pushed medially. Don’t push those babies laterally.

51
Q

This places a patient at high risk for ischemic optic neuropathy

A

Prone position, hypotension, large blood loss, large crystalloid use, anemia, smoking, diabetes, vascular pathology, HTN, males, cardiac surgery, spinal surgery

52
Q

Cause of ischemic optic neuropathy

A

From compression of central vein or artery due to sustained, direct pressure on the eye/retina during surgery. Can cause visual changes or partial or complete blindness.

53
Q

Treatment for corneal abrasions

A

Antibiotic ointment and eye patch

54
Q

If a patient has thoracic outlet syndrome, how should the arms be placed in prone position?

A

Along the sides. We want to avoid tension of the musculature around the shoulders

55
Q

CV changes with prone

A

Pooling in lower extremities, decreased preload, decrease in CO and BP.
Counteract this with TEDs/SCDs

56
Q

What MUST be anticipated with the move to the prone position??

A

Hypotension!

Be ready to treat. Remember too that prolonged hypotension in the prone position can cause blindness!

57
Q

Effect of prone on ventilation

A

Cephalad displacement of diaphragm. Decreased lung compliance. Increase in PIP. Increased WOB.
PPV overcomes these effects.

58
Q

How to improve lung function in the prone position

A

Rolls/bolsters to free chest excursion.

59
Q

Effect of prone on CBF

A

Turning of the head obstructs venous drainage, leading to IICP
Excess flexion/turning can obstruct vertebral artery flow

60
Q

Lateral decub is used for

A

Thoracotomy, kidney, shoulder, and hip surgery

61
Q

In lateral decub, we place a pillow between the legs to prevent injury to this nerve

A

Saphenous

62
Q

Where should the safety strap in lateral decub be placed?

A

Between the head of the femur and the iliac crest

63
Q

CV changes with lateral decub

A

Minimal as long as venous return isn’t obstructed

BP measurements will be different in the two arms

64
Q

Ventilation changes with lateral decub

A

Awake and spontaneously breathing
- Dependent lung is better perfused and ventilated
Anesthetized but spontaneously breathing
- Nondependent is better ventilated and dependent is better perfused (V:Q mismatch)
Anesthetized and vented
- Non-dependend lung is overventilated and the dependent lung is overperfused (even worse V:Q mismatch)

65
Q

Sitting position is used for

A

Crianial, shoulder, and humeral surgery

Facilitates venous drainage as well

66
Q

Excessive cervical flexion can cause

A

obstruction of venous outflow causing hypoperfusion and venous congestion, stretching of cervical nerve roots, ETT obstruction (kinking), can cause pressure on tongue (swelling)

67
Q

We want this amount of space between the mandible and sternum

A

2FB

68
Q

CV effects of sitting position

A

Venous pooling, decreased return, decreased preload, CO, and BP
Hypotension!! - Raise the head SLOWLY
Compensatory increase in HR and SVR (but these are blunted by anesthetics)
Treat with: IVF, pressors, adjusting anesthetic depth, TEDs and SCDs

69
Q

When is venous air embolism (VAE) a risk

A

ANY TIME the surgical site is above the heart!!

This is a potentially LETHAL complication!!

70
Q

Signs of VAE

A 
Change in heart tones (wind mill murmur) heard via doppler at the parasternal border at 2nd-6th IC space. 
New murmur
Dysrhythmias
Hypotension
Desaturation
DECREASED EtCO2
Circulatory compromise
Cardiac arrest
Detection with TEE or precordial doppler ultrasound
71
Q

Does VAE cause an increased or decreased EtCO2?

A

Decreased

72
Q

Treatment of VAE

A

Flod the surgical field with NS!!
Apply wax to bony edges and close any open vessels
D/C nitrous
Place on 100% O2 and PEEP
Place in trendelenberg position (to decrease further entraining of air)
Aspirate air from RA via central catheter

Anesthesia II (11 decks)

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