Lateral position

Lateral position

Left or right lateral positioning ( Figure 7.5 ) are useful alterna tives to prone positioning in many circumstances, such as the drainage of perianal or pilonidal abscesses. The lateral position also allows for good access to the thorax when perf orming a lateral thoracotomy . A modified lateral position, commonly referred to as the ‘kidney position’, can aid in urological and retroperitoneal procedures by increasing the distance between the costal margin and the iliac bone. This is achieved by ‘break ing the table’ or angulating the table with the summit near the middle of the table and the two ends sloping away . Key points /uni25CF The lower leg is slightly flexed at the knee, a pillow is placed between both the legs and the upper leg is flexed in a more exaggerated position. /uni25CF The arms are usually placed in stirrups. /uni25CF Maintaining cervical alignment of the head is very import ant. Potential complications /uni25CF Respiratory complications secondary to preferential venti lation of one lung over the other and accidental endobron chial migration of the tube. /uni25CF Traction injury of the brachial plexus and ulnar nerve in jury . /uni25CF Corneal abrasions and ocular trauma. Lateral position

Left or right lateral positioning ( Figure 7.5 ) are useful alterna tives to prone positioning in many circumstances, such as the drainage of perianal or pilonidal abscesses. The lateral position also allows for good access to the thorax when perf orming a lateral thoracotomy . A modified lateral position, commonly referred to as the ‘kidney position’, can aid in urological and retroperitoneal procedures by increasing the distance between the costal margin and the iliac bone. This is achieved by ‘break ing the table’ or angulating the table with the summit near the middle of the table and the two ends sloping away . Key points /uni25CF The lower leg is slightly flexed at the knee, a pillow is placed between both the legs and the upper leg is flexed in a more exaggerated position. /uni25CF The arms are usually placed in stirrups. /uni25CF Maintaining cervical alignment of the head is very import ant. Potential complications /uni25CF Respiratory complications secondary to preferential venti lation of one lung over the other and accidental endobron chial migration of the tube. /uni25CF Traction injury of the brachial plexus and ulnar nerve in jury . /uni25CF Corneal abrasions and ocular trauma. Lateral position

Left or right lateral positioning ( Figure 7.5 ) are useful alterna tives to prone positioning in many circumstances, such as the drainage of perianal or pilonidal abscesses. The lateral position also allows for good access to the thorax when perf orming a lateral thoracotomy . A modified lateral position, commonly referred to as the ‘kidney position’, can aid in urological and retroperitoneal procedures by increasing the distance between the costal margin and the iliac bone. This is achieved by ‘break ing the table’ or angulating the table with the summit near the middle of the table and the two ends sloping away . Key points /uni25CF The lower leg is slightly flexed at the knee, a pillow is placed between both the legs and the upper leg is flexed in a more exaggerated position. /uni25CF The arms are usually placed in stirrups. /uni25CF Maintaining cervical alignment of the head is very import ant. Potential complications /uni25CF Respiratory complications secondary to preferential venti lation of one lung over the other and accidental endobron chial migration of the tube. /uni25CF Traction injury of the brachial plexus and ulnar nerve in jury . /uni25CF Corneal abrasions and ocular trauma.