How Useful Anterior Lateral Surgical Positioning Devices Are

The word “surgery” is usually accompanied by thoughts and feelings of worry, concern, and fear. With all the advancements the medical field has made in just the last two decades alone, the risks associated with surgeries have been significantly decreased. Almost every single part of the human body can become damaged or injured and require surgical intervention; so how are surgeons able to complete more challenging procedures such as hip replacements or rib fracture practices?

Anterior lateral surgical positioning devices are tools that allow surgeons and a medical team to complete surgical procedures pertaining to the anterior (front) and lateral (side) of the body. For example, if the thigh needed an anterior lateral procedure done, it would be at the front outside half. Such devices that assist in surgeries of the anterior lateral parts of the body are used to hold the body in place, usually on the side, while under anesthesia.

Although there is a wide variety of lateral positioning devices, one may be used in the case of a patient suffering from ulnocarpal impaction syndrome, a condition in which the outer forearm bone, the ulna, impacts upon the outer carpal (wrist) bones and causes pain, degeneration, and an increased length of the ulna in relation to the inner forearm bone, otherwise known as the radius. This condition is often treated with the surgical procedure of an ulnar shortening osteotomy, meaning the ulna bone is literally shortened through the performance of an osteotomy (the removal of all or piece of a bone).

In such a procedure, the patient would likely lie down on their side opposite the affected arm with pads under the head and arms, and along the back, stomach, and behind the legs, in order to keep them set in place while under the effects of anesthesia. For an anterior lateral ulnar osteotomy, the arm may be set atop one of the pads and strapped in place so that the surgeon can work efficiently without the arm falling to one side or the other. These devices also help to reduce pressure and inhibit tissue injuries while laying on the surgical table.

Imagine being a surgeon trying to adequately perform on a patient’s anterolateral (both anterior and lateral) structure, such as the ribs, fibula (outer lower leg bone), ulna, the mandible (jaw bone), lungs, liver, or even eyes without the patient being properly secured in one immobile position. Imagine being the patient of any of these procedures and having the surgery go less than desirable due to a lack of effective equipment. Anterior lateral positioning devices are crucial to surgeons and patients alike because for an end result, all bodies on the medical spectrum, from patient to surgical team to surgeon, the goal is for the patient to leave the operating table healthy, safe, and with a sufficient outcome. It is also imperative that the doctors’ reputation for their competency and ability remains intact.

Anterior lateral surgical positioning devices are an important part of many different surgery types in order to keep the anesthetized patient’s body in place and unwavering as well as ensuring the surgeon’s ability to work without causing additional injury in the process of operating. These products do not only hold great significance for surgeons, but for patients as well.