Positioning Part I Flashcards
What are the different supine position varaitions?
- Split leg supine
- Trendelenburg / Reverse Trendelenburg
- Contoured (lawn chair)
- Uterine or abdominal mass displacement
- Lithotomy
What are complications of supine position?
- Arm Complication
- Backache & Paraplegia:
- Axillary Trauma from the Humeral Head
- Radial Nerve Compression
- median nerve dysfunction
- brachial nerve plexus
What are the characteristics of arm complication of supine position?
Check arm boards
What are the characteristics of Backache & Paraplegia of supine position?
- Lumbar backache can worsen by ligamentous relaxation that occurs w/ anesthesia
- Have pt position themselves in a comfortable manner prior to induction
What are the components of the horizontal supine position? (6)
- On back with pillow under head
- Arms: restrained alongside the trunk or abducted on arm boards
- NO skin to metal contact
- NO stretching/compressing of neurovascular bundle @ axilla
- Lumbar spine: supported to prevent postoperative backache
- Bony contact points padded: occiput, elbows, heels
What can also occur with supine horizontal position?
Pressure alopecia resulting from ischemic hair follicles is r/t prolonged immobilization of head and its weight
Review the nerves of the arm.
What are causes of ulnar injury from the supine position?
- Elbows extending over the edge of the operating room table
- Elbow flexed greater than 110 degrees
- External compression (e.g. leaning on patient)
Who is at increased risk of ulnar injury from the supine position?
Male gender, high BMI, prolonged post-operative bedrest
What is the prevention for ulnar injury from the supine position?
–Tucked: Hands should be neutral, with elbow padded and palms facing hips
–Armboards: Forearms should be supinated
–Arms should be abducted no more than 90 degrees
What are the clinical manifestations of Ulnar Neuropathy from supine position?
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in the sensory distribution of the ulnar nerves
- Preanesthetic interview:
- Inquire on hx of ulnar neuropathies, previous elbow surgery/injuries
- Document!!!
What can mask the signs of ulnar neuropathy from supine position?
Opioids may mask pain…
Review Arm Positioning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zJ1sCU4VT4
Wbat are the characteristics of the Axillary Trauma from the Humeral Head?
- Abduction of the arm >90° may thrust the head of the humerus into the axillary neurovascular bundle.
- >90°bundle is compressed & stretched
What can happen to vessels with Axillary Trauma from the Humeral Head?
Vessels can be compressed or occluded & perfusion of the extremity can be jeopardized.
Where does Radial Nerve Compression arise?
Arise from C6-C8 & T1
What are causes of Radial Nerve Compression?
- Excessive BP cuff cycle, compression @ midhumerus by restrictive sheets to tuck arms have caused damage.
- Arm boards and slings positioned laterally can directly compress the radial nerve
- Wraps around the musculospiral groove
Where does the radial nerve pass?
Radial n. passes dorsolaterally around the middle and lower portions of the humerus in the musculospiral groove
What are the components of median nerve dysfunction of supine position?
- Uncommon
- Forced elbow extension after administration of muscle relaxants and while positioning the arms, with resultant stretch of the median nerve (potential MOI)
What are the components of brachial plexus neuropathy from supine position?
- Root injuries
- Sternal retraction
- Long Thoracic Nerve Dysfunction
What are the charateristics of root injury from supine position?
- Shoulder braces @ base of neck can injure roots of brachial plexus
- Move more laterally over the acromioclavicular joint
What are the charateristics of Sternal retraction injury from supine position?
- Arms tucked or abducted
- High risk for 1st rib fx & brachial plexus injuries r/t retraction of ribs
What are the characteristics of Long Thoracic Nerve Dysfunction from supine injury?
- LTN: from nerve roots C5-C7
- Postoperative serratus anterior muscle dysfunction & “winged scapula”
What is the Long Thoracic Nerve Dysfunction origin?
Usually traumatic in origin (not routinely involved in a stretch injury)
What are some other supine nerve injuries?
- Radial Nerve Compression
- Superficial Peroneal nerve & Sural nerve injury
What are causes of radial nerve compression?
- Compression along the lateral humerus
- Excessive cycling of BP cuff will be contributive
- Restrictive sheets or towels to tuck the patient
- Surgical retractors
- (radial nerve courses around the humerus)
What are causes of Superficial Peroneal nerve & Sural nerve injury?
Pressure from superior extremity damaging the superficial peroneal nerve in the dependent leg and the sural nerve
Define sural nerve.
posterior calf, lateral ankle, lateral heel, and foot
Define superficial peroneal nerve.
sensory anterolateral leg; motor to peroneus longus & peroneus brevis
Review foot innervation.
What is another names for Supine Position: Contoured?
Lawn Chair Position
What is the component of “Lawn Chair Position”?
Trunk-thigh is approximately 15-degrees & thigh-knee is approximately 15 degrees
What are alternatives to flex of “Lawn Chair Position”?
Alternatives to flex: rolled pillow, towel, pillow, blanket
What are the Supine Position - Life Threatening Complications?
- hypotension and decreased cardiac output are risks with GA (vasodilation and myocardial suppression)
- Supine Hypotensive Syndrome or Aortocaval Syndrome
- Diaphragmatic compression from abdominal weight
What are the characteristics of hypotension and decreased cardiac output are risks with GA (vasodilation and myocardial suppression)?
Risk of hemodynamic changes are minimal in supine position but hypotension and decreased cardiac output are risks with GA (vasodilation and myocardial suppression)
- Light anesthetic or a gradual induction decreases this risk
- Intravascular volume is an option (controversial)
What are components of the Supine Hypotensive Syndrome or Aortocaval Syndrome?
- Body weight can rest on great vessels of the abdomen and compromise circulation
- Place support under right hip or slight table tilt to the left to displace weight
What are the components of Diaphragmatic compression from abdominal weight?
- FRC and total lung capacity significantly decreased due to cephalad shift of diaphragm by the abdominal visceral
“the tube goes where the _______ goes”
Nose
What is the relationship of Supine Hypotensive Syndrome and pregnant women?
In pregnant women, use left uterine displacement (LUD) once uterus is palpated above the umbilicus: wedge under the right buttock to get a 15 degree tilt
Review split leg supine.
What is the use for split leg supine?
Surgical procedures of the abdomen, head, neck, extremities, & chest
What is the true about the base of the surgical table?
Base of surgical table is asymmetric. Torso is over the foot of the table to help facilitate the use of surgical equipment (ie: xray, c-arm)
What are the physiological changes that occur when the legs are elevated?
- Preload increases causing transient increase in cardiac output and a slight increase in cerebral venous and intracranial pressure
- Abdominal viscera displaces the diaphragm cephalad reducing lung compliance & tidal volume
What is the indication of Lithotomy?
Used for surgeries that require access to perineal structures
What are the different types of Lithotomy?
Legs flexed and abducted above torso
- Low lithotomy
- Exaggerated lithotomy
- Hemilithotomy
Define Low lithotomy.
Legs level with torso
Define Exaggerated lithotomy.
Feet well above body