Positioning patients for spine surgery: Avoiding uncommon position-related complications

Figure 3 Positioning patient in the prone surrender (superman) position. The head should be in neutral position on foam supporting head frame (e.g., proneview^®) to avoid any direct pressure to the eye. The shoulders should be abducted less than 90°, lateral rotation of the upper arm and extreme elbow flexion should be avoided. The forearm should be positioned in the neutral position to minimize direct pressure on the ulnar nerve in the elbow. Soft foam padding should be placed under the elbows and between the inner upper around the gel rolls (or supporting frame) supporting the body. The level of the forearm should be at or below the mattress surface.