[Positioning injuries among patients undergoing spine surgery].

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to answer the questions: Which kind of positioning injuries occurred in anaesthetized orthopaedic patients undergoing spine surgery who were prone-positioned for more than two hours? What was the incidence of positioning injuries? Which patients were at particular risk of developing positioning-related injuries?

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Follow-up study comprising 299 patients. A patient record followed the patient from the day of surgery until discharge. Selected pre-disposing factors related to positioning injuries as well as positioning-related injuries were registered. One year after surgery, localisation, duration and treatment of positioning-related injuries were registered. A total of 299 patients were included. Among these, 60 patients died within the first year, and 52 could not be reached. The remaining 187 patients were interviewed by telephone one year after surgery using a structured guide

RESULTS

In all, 33 patients had nerve injuries one year after surgery, among these 18 patients had nerve injuries located to the upper extremities.

CONCLUSION

A possible association between the duration of the prone position and positioning injuries emerged, but there was no connection between nerve injuries located to the upper extremities and the predisposing factors. Nerve injuries in arms/hands influence daily living. Future studies are needed to investigate predisposing factors such as high body mass index and body build, and guidelines for positioning are recommended.