Abstract

BACKGROUND
The prone position is often used for operations involving the spine and provides excellent surgical access. The complications associated with the prone position include ocular and auricular injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries. In particular, the prone position during general anesthesia causes hemodynamic changes. To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of the prone position in surgical patients during general anesthesia, we investigated the effects on hemodynamic change of the prone position with the Jackson spinal surgery table. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Thirty patients undergoing spine surgery in the prone position were randomly selected. After induction of general anesthesia, intra-arterial and central venous pressures (CVP) were monitored and cardiac output was measured by NICO(R). We measured stroke volume, cardiac index, cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, CVP and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) before changing the position. The same measurements were performed after changing to the prone position with the patient on the Jackson spinal surgery table. RESULTS: In the prone position, there was a significant reduction in stroke volume, cardiac index and cardiac output. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure and CVP were also decreased in the prone position but not significantly. However, the SVR was increased significantly. CONCLUSION: The degree of a reduced cardiac index was less on the Jackson spinal surgery table than other conditions of the prone position. The reduced epidural pressure caused by free abdominal movement may decrease intraoperative blood loss. Therefore, the Jackson spinal surgery table provides a convenient and stable method for maintaining patients in the prone position during spinal surgery.

• Keywords: Hemodynamic change;Prone position