TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Surgical Positioning: Physiology and Perioperative Implications A1 - Hagan, Katherine A1 - Gottumukkala, Vijaya A2 - Longnecker, David E. A2 - Mackey, Sean C. A2 - Newman, Mark F. A2 - Sandberg, Warren S. A2 - Zapol, Warren M. Y1 - 2017 N1 - T2 - Anesthesiology, 3e AB - KEY POINTSProper positioning of the patient during the operative period is important to optimize surgical exposure and reduce the risk of positioning-related injuries.Understanding the pathophysiologic changes and special considerations associated with each position helps reduce positioning-related morbidity.Improper positioning during surgery can lead to spinal cord ischemia, postoperative peripheral neuropathies, muscular sprain injuries, ischemic injury to skin and muscles, and visual loss.Perioperative peripheral nerve injuries are the second-most-common cause of professional liability among anesthesiologists.Certain procedures (eg, robotic surgery) may involve unconventional and extreme positioning techniques, necessitating better understanding of the physiologic consequences of positioning and enhanced vigilance to prevent injury to the patient.Male gender, extremes of body habitus, and prolonged hospitalization are risk factors for postoperative peripheral neuropathies.A thorough assessment of risk factors for complications related to positioning is an integral part of the preoperative evaluation.As part of the informed consent, risks and benefits associated with positioning should be discussed with the patient.Description of intraoperative positioning techniques and measures taken to prevent injury should be documented in the anesthetic record.Familiarity and understanding of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Task Force on Prevention of Perioperative Peripheral Neuropathies may help minimize problems associated with positioning during the perioperative period.Increased vigilance is necessary to minimize the potential for visual injury in high-risk patients during the perioperative period.The report by the ASA Task Force on Perioperative Visual Loss is an excellent source of current information and consensus expert opinion on this devastating problem. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/16 UR - accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1144114871 ER -