Authors of section

Authors

Paulo Barbosa, Felix Bonnaire, Kodi Kojima

Executive Editors

Steve Krikler, Chris Colton

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Prone positioning

The patient is positioned prone on a radiolucent table. This gives good access to allow fixation of the Volkmann fragment and fibular fracture through a posterolateral approach.

Attention should be paid to the following points:

  • The abdomen should hang free to avoid high intraabdominal pressure.
  • The arms/shoulders should be resting comfortably in a 90-90° position of the shoulder and elbow.
  • Adequate padding needs to be provided to elbows and knees to avoid pressure sores.
  • A pillow or other support is placed under the front of the ankle to allow the toes to hang free.
  • The head is best placed in a face mask to avoid pressure on the eyes and have the endotracheal tube free with the neck in neutral position.
prone positioning
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