During surgeries various positions are adopted with a view to having the patient in the right positions during the surgery. Some of the most often adopted positions are the prone position where the patient lies flat on the face. That said, this positioning can effectively help reach certain locations easier, there are threats to patient safety tied to this positioning if not worked around. Prone position gel pads are vital and have the responsibility of safeguarding the patients while undergoing surgery as they ensure enough support, and minimal pressure this may lead to a patient's injury.
What Are Prone Position Gel Pads?
Prone position gel pads are exclusive pads used to support prone positioned patients particularly during surgeries. These pads are made of the high quality medical grade silicone gel that offer firm support and give the appropriate cushioning. Supporting this is the impact of the gel material that helps spread the patient’s body weight hence avoiding pressure sores, nerve damage besides other problems that may occur during long surgeries.
Thus, beside prone position gel pads there exist other positioning aids for example – OT table mat and supine position gel pads which give full support and comfort to the patients during diverse surgeries in different positions. These devices are very important to ensure that patients are safe during surgeries; however, prone position gel pads are especially important for those patients who are lying flat on their face for a very long time.
How Prone Position Gel Pads Enhance Safety
- Pressure Distribution and Reduction of Pressure Sores
Among the advantages of using prone position gel pads is the fact that pressure seems to be equally spread out in the body of the patient. Among these, the anterior aspect of the body, including the chest and face zones and the knee areas, are at a higher risk of excessive pressure when a patient lies in the prone position for a long period. This pressure, if not well taken care of, is the main cause of formation of pressure sores or ulcers that may bring a lot of discomfort to the patient, and mostly develop infections when they are in the post-surgery state. It has a soft item that lies prone to ensure that the pressure ranges all over the pad surface and hence prevents pressure soreness.
- Minimizing Nerve Compression
Another complication of patients being put on the prone position is nerve injuries. For instance, areas like the brachial plexus and facial nerve plexus require support and if not they can be easily compressed. Prone position gel pads offer the required cushioning to relieve pressure off nerves and thus the patient can never experience postoperative nerve related complications.
- Maintaining Proper Body Alignment
Every body part should be in the correct position during surgery in order to control musculoskeletal injuries. That is why prone position gel pads seem to provide unique positioning of the body in such a manner that does not cause the spine, neck, or other joint’s stress. This is important especially in complicated operations where accuracy of the positioning matters so much. Through use of gel pads with the ot table mat as well as with other appliances which maintain the position of a patient, surgeons are able to maintain the position of a particular patient during the entire procedure.
The Role of Prone Position Gel Pads in Reducing Anesthesia Risks
Inadequate anesthesia during the surgery raises complications like respiratory problems and inadequate blood flow to the body. Since some parts of the body such as chest and abdomen are sensitive areas, prone position gel pads help to improve blood flow and action of lungs while avoiding pressure on them. This guarantees that the patient’s body is well prepared to deliver all of its normal bodily processes including under anesthesia minimizing the potential of respiratory or circulatory complications.
Conclusion
Prone position gel pads are core components required to generate patient safety during operations. Through distribution of pressure, reduction of nerve compression and best position alignment of the body, these pads reduce the dangers posed by prone position. Alone, the foot and heel protector give an extensive solution to the patient's safety and comfort when used in combination with other furniture such as OT table mat and supine position gel pads, hence enabling best surgical results.
