How do you place a patient in a Lithotomy position?

Category: medical health surgery
4.1/5 (53 Views . 34 Votes)
What is the lithotomy position? The lithotomy position is often used during childbirth and surgery in the pelvic area. It involves lying on your back with your legs flexed 90 degrees at your hips. Your knees will be bent at 70 to 90 degrees, and padded foot rests attached to the table will support your legs.



Moreover, what is Lithotomy position used for?

Lithotomy position: Position in which the patient is on their back with the hips and knees flexed and the thighs apart. The position is often used for vaginal examinations and childbirth.

Beside above, how do you position a patient? Patient lies on the side of the body with the top leg over the bottom leg. This position helps relieve pressure on the coccyx. Patient lies between supine and prone with legs flexed in front of the patient. Arms should be comfortably placed beside the patient, not underneath.

In this way, how is a patient positioned in the Fowler's position?

The patient's arms should be flexed and secured across the body, the buttocks should be padded, and the knees flexed 30 degrees. In Fowler's position, the patient is at an increased risk for air embolism, skin injury from shearing and sliding, and DVT forming in the patient's lower extremities.

Which position is used for gynecological procedures?

Lithotomy position is one of the most commonly used in obstetrics and gynaecology. It is used in childbirth, instrumental delivery, perineal, vaginal and urological surgery. Lithotomy position is defined as supine position of the body with the legs separated, flexed and supported in raised stirrups.

33 Related Question Answers Found

What nerves can be damaged in Lithotomy position?

Neurologic injuries related to the lithotomy position may affect the femoral, sciatic, and common peroneal nerves. One series found that the most common lower extremity neuropathies associated with procedures in the lithotomy position were common peroneal (81%), sciatic (15%), and femoral (4%).

What is the most common surgical position?

The most common surgical positions are supine, Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, prone, lithotomy, sitting and lateral positions.

Why is Lithotomy position bad?

The combination of a lower arterial pressure and elevated compartment pressure potentially lead to ischemia of the lower extremity musculature and soft tissue. Of all standard surgical positions, lithotomy, followed by the lateral decubitus position, puts the patient at the greatest risk for compartment syndrome.

Which of the following is benefit of Lithotomy position?

Most notably the position provides good visual and physical access to the perineal region. The position is used for procedures ranging from simple pelvic exams to surgeries and procedures including those involving reproductive organs, urology, and gastrointestinal systems.

What are the anatomical risks in the Lithotomy position?


The potential hazards to the patient in the lithotomy position are: skin breakdown, nerve damage, musculoskeletal injury (improper raising and lowering of the legs), and circulatory compromise.

What is the Fowler's position used for?

Fowler's position facilitates the relaxing of tension of the abdominal muscles, allowing for improved breathing. In immobile patients and infants, the Fowler's position alleviates compression of the chest that occurs due to gravity.

What is modified Lithotomy position?

Conclusion: The conventional lithotomy position is the most commonly used position for perineal surgeries. The modified lithotomy position described here flattens the anus and reduces the prominence of the ischial tuberosity, facilitating easier access to anus and thus the surgical procedures in and around the anus.

What is a Lithotomy procedure?

Lithotomy from Greek for "lithos" (stone) and "tomos" (cut), is a surgical method for removal of calculi, stones formed inside certain organs, such as the kidneys (kidney stones), bladder (bladder stones), and gallbladder (gallstones), that cannot exit naturally through the urinary system or biliary tract.

What is the best position for a patient with dyspnea?

Unassisted Standing Positions
The simplest standing dyspnea position is to stand erect, leaning slightly forward, and let your shoulders and arms hang slightly forward. You can use this position in a public place where you do not want to appear conspicuous.

What is the sitting position called?


Sitting is a basic human resting position. The form of kneeling where the thighs are near horizontal and the buttocks sit back on the heels, for example as in Seiza and Vajrasana (yoga), is also often interpreted as sitting.

How do you position a hypotensive patient?

The Trendelenburg position involves placing the patient head down and elevating the feet. It is named after German surgeon Friedrich Trendelenburg, who created the position to improve surgical exposure of the pelvic organs during surgery.

Why would you put a patient in supine position?

The supine position provides excellent surgical access for intracranial procedures, most otorhinolaryngology procedures, and surgery on the anterior cervical spine. The supine position also is used during cardiac and abdominal surgery, as well as procedures on the lower extremity including hip, knee, ankle, and foot.

Why do you place a patient on the left side?

Patients should be transported to a hospital as quickly, but as passively, as possible. They should be placed on their left side in the recovery position to prevent aspiration of vomit.

Who is responsible for patient positioning during surgery?

Anaesthetist and surgeon are each responsible for their own errors. According to the interdisciplinary agreements, positioning and checks on position are the task of the surgeon, while the anaesthetist is responsible for the "infusion arm".

How do you place a patient in supine position?


Proper Patient Positioning Guidelines: Supine Position. The supine position is the most common patient position used in the OR. Typically, the head is rested on a foam pillow, keeping the neck in a neutral position. The patient is placed flat on their back with their head and spine aligned.

What is the correct position for a stroke victim?

Side Lying on the Unaffected Side
  • The stroke arm should be well forward, keeping the elbow straight and supported on a pillow.
  • The stroke leg should be brought far enough in front of the body to prevent the patient rolling on to the back, the knee bent and leg supported on a pillow.

How often should you reposition an immobile patient?

Patients should be repositioned regularly — at least every two hours 2. Movements may only need to be small 3. Where possible change of position should be planned into the daily routine.