J A n U A R Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 1
T
he usual hazards of Trendelenburg positioning are
sheared skin, pinched nerves, overextended limbs, and
crushing injuries to hands and arms. But as these actual
cases illustrate, patients can also slide off the table and
their hearts can stop pumping blood when you place
patients head down and elevate their feet.
• Trendelenburg slide. Consider the extreme but not uncommon
case of Coley Purvis, a Florida man who 10 years ago went into the
West Jefferson Medical Center in New Orleans, La., for surgery but
claims he left with herniated discs and a traumatic brain injury,
Tips for Safer Trendelenburg Positioning
Keep patients safe and secure during head-down tilting
positions during surgery.
• DANGER ZONE It can be dangerous
for patients when you place them head
down and elevate their feet.
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