The document outlines the aims and criteria for proper patient positioning in surgical settings to ensure safety and prevent injuries related to anesthesia. It emphasizes the need for maintaining airway, circulation, and comfort, while considering anatomical changes and specific patient needs prior to positioning. Additionally, it details common surgical positions, including variations, and provides educational information about class timing.

1. O P E R A T I N G R O O M
W W W . F A C E B O O K . C O M / O R P S I N D U E D U C A T I O N
PAGE # 01
LETTER OF THANKS TO NICOLE
There are following aims of any proper positioning for sugary:
1. To maintain patient’s airway and avoid constriction or
pressure on the chest cavity
2. To maintain circulation
3. To prevent nerve damage
4. To provide adequate exposure of the operative site
5. To provide comfort and safety to the patient
OR Personnel & Team must be aware of the anatomic and
physiologic changes associated with anesthesia, patient
positioning, and the procedure.
The following criteria should be met to prevent injury from
pressure, obstruction, or stretching:
 No interference with respiration
 No interference with circulation
 No pressure on peripheral nerves
 Minimal skin pressure
 Accessibility to operative site
 Accessibility for anesthetic administration
 No undue musculoskeletal discomfort
 Maintenance of individual requirements
BEST WISHES TO ALL ORPs.
Regard,
ORPs Education Programme
Class Timing & Day: 08:30am & each Tuesday at Teaching Room in OT

2. O P E R A T I N G R O O M
W W W . F A C E B O O K . C O M / O R P S I N D U E D U C A T I O N
PAGE # 02
LETTER OF THANKS TO NICOLE
The team should assess the following prior to positioning of the patient:
• Procedure length
• Surgeon’s preference of position
• Required position for procedure
• Anesthesia to be administered
• Patient’s privacy and medical needs
• Basics of anatomy & physiology
• Patient’s risk factors:
age, weight, skin condition, mobility/limitations,pre-existing
conditions, etc.
Four basic surgical
positions include:
 Supine
 Prone
 Lateral
 Lithotomy
Variations include:
 Trendelenburg
 Reverse
trendelenburg
 Fowler’s
 Jackknife
 High lithotomy
 Low lithotomy
(Regard,
ORPs Education Programme
Class Timing & Day: 08:30am & each Tuesday at
Teaching Room in OT)