title: Factors to be Considered when Performing Cataract Surgery in Patients Unable to Recline Flat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although phacoemulsification is routinely performed with the patient in a supine position, certain locomotor deformities and other severe ailments can lead to the inability of the patient to recline flat.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present article surveys publications and summarizes our own experience regarding positioning techniques during cataract surgery on patients unable to adopt a supine position.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The successful and effective performance of cataract surgery by phacoemulsification depend on the comfortable positioning of both the patient and the surgeon. In order to achieve the highest possible success rate in phacoemulsification surgery, optimal positioning of the patient and the operating microscope are essential. There are other features of pivotal importance, including the construction of the operating table, the anesthesia technique, and the surgical approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgeons often have to rely on their own imagination and experience in finding optimal positioning in order to perform effective and successful phacoemulsification surgery.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary.
authors.forename: Aniko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rentka
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kemeny-Beke
mesh_terms: D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D058638:Operating Tables; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D011187:Posture
keywords: Anesthesia; cataract surgery; operating table; positioning; reclining flat; surgical approach