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Principles and Practice of Anesthesia for Thoracic Surgery pp 259–264Cite as

Intraoperative Patient Positioning and Neurological Injuries

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Abstract

Thoracic cases usually involve repositioning the patient after induction of anesthesia. Vigilance is required to avoid major displacement of airway devices, lines, and monitors during and after position changes. Obtaining central venous access after changing to the lateral position is extremely difficult. If a central line may be needed it should be placed at induction. Prevention of peripheral nerve injuries in the lateral position requires a survey of the patient from the head and sides of the operating table prior to draping. Postthoracotomy paraplegia is primarily a surgical complication.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Cara Reimer MD, FRCPC

  2. Department of Anesthesia, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Peter Slinger MD, FRCPC

Authors
  1. Cara Reimer MD, FRCPC
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  2. Peter Slinger MD, FRCPC
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, Staff Anesthesiologist, Professor of Anesthesia, Toronto, M5G 2C4, Ontario, Canada

    Peter Slinger, MD, FRCPC

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Reimer, C., Slinger, P. (2011). Intraoperative Patient Positioning and Neurological Injuries. In: Slinger, MD, FRCPC, P. (eds) Principles and Practice of Anesthesia for Thoracic Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0184-2_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0184-2_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-0183-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0184-2

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