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Spinal Procedures in the Prone Position

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Perioperative Considerations and Positioning for Neurosurgical Procedures

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Abstract

Spinal procedures performed in the prone position are often those requiring a posterior approach such as thoracic and lumbar discectomies, decompressions, thoracic and lumbar fusions, and posterior cervical decompression and fusions. Prone positioning in spinal surgery requires recognition of potential complications related to patient characteristics and physical and physiologic changes that occur in a prone state. We describe considerations for prone positioning in cervical and thoracolumbar cases. We also review patient comorbidities and characteristics that should be acknowledged for prone positioning to help guide appropriate techniques. Finally, we review potential complications that can be seen in patients undergoing prone position spinal surgery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Semmes-Murphey Clinic, University of the Tennessee Health Sciences, Memphis, TN, USA

    Prayash Patel & Christopher Nickele

Authors
  1. Prayash Patel
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  2. Christopher Nickele
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher Nickele .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Clinic, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

    Adam Arthur

  2. Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Clinic, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

    Kevin Foley

  3. Medical Anesthesia Group, Germantown, Tennessee, USA

    C. Wayne Hamm

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Patel, P., Nickele, C. (2018). Spinal Procedures in the Prone Position. In: Arthur, A., Foley, K., Hamm, C. (eds) Perioperative Considerations and Positioning for Neurosurgical Procedures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72679-3_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72679-3_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72678-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72679-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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