Safe positioning for neurosurgical patients.
Positioning the patient for surgery is an important part of perioperative nursing care that should not be underemphasized. The combined factors of time, mechanical pressure, and immobility increase the risk of tissue damage. The objectives of perioperative positioning activities are to balance optimal surgical exposure with the prevention of any injury related to position and to maintain normal body alignment without excess flexion, extension, or rotation. After providing general principles of positioning, specific considerations with surgical rationale are presented for each of the commonly used neurosurgical positions (eg. supine, knee-chest, prone, lateral, park-bench, sitting).
Montreal Neurological Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Danielle
D
St-Arnaud
Marie-Josée
MJ
Paquin
D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*