Spinal fusion, lumbar discectomy, sacral tumor... When the surgeon needs to make an operation on the back, the patient must lie prone throughout the process. This posture seems simple, but it makes anesthesiologists hold their breath - face down, how to fix the tracheal tube? Will the eyes and nose be crushed? At what Angle should the cervical vertebrae be positioned?The answer lies in that unremarkable "pillow" under the operating table - the anesthesia prone pillow.
What does it look like?
U-shaped or T-shaped hollowed-out
Like a custom-made "photo frame" for the face, the eyes, nose and mouth are suspended to avoid direct pressure.
Small window on the side
Anesthesiologists can observe the position of the catheter, the color of the lips in real time, and even reach in to make minor adjustments.
Gel or high-density memory foam
It is both soft and supportive, capable of reducing the average pressure of 4.3 kPa during an 8-hour operation to below 1.5 kPa.
Transparent material
When intraoperative X-ray photography or O-arm navigation is required, imaging can be achieved without moving the patient.
Why can't it be done without it?
|
Risk point |
The consequences of not using a prone pillow | Literature data |
| Facial pressure ulcers | Stage I–III pressure ulcers on the orbits, zygomatic bones, and chin | Incidence 3.4%–12.7% |
| Visual impairment | Retinal ischemia → postoperative blindness (PION) | 0.01% but irreversible |
| Endotracheal tube kinking | Tube kinking, dislodgement, and ventilatory impairment | Airway events account for 18% of prone anesthesia incidents |
How do anesthesiologists use it?
Posterior general anesthesia of the spine
First, "sit" the patient on the edge of the operating table. After anesthesia induction and intubation, place the prone pillow on the head rest and then flip the entire body 180 degrees. The side window ensures that the catheter is always "visible and touchable".
Prone position spinal anesthesia
More and more lumbar surgeries in China are adopting the "prone position lumbar anesthesia". First, a prone pillow was placed on the abdomen, and the lumbar intervertebral space was elevated by 8-12 mm. The success rate of puncture increased from 85% to 96% (Reference 6).
Posterior cranial fossa surgery for children
The small gel prone pillow with forehead straps can "hang" the child's face in the pillow frame, which not only prevents pressure and slipping but also expands the field of vision of the posterior cranial fossa by 30%.
How to purchase a good pillow?
- The pressure dispersion value is ≤ 1.5 kPa
- The rebound time is 3 to 5 seconds. If it's too slow, it means insufficient support; if it's too fast, it means a risk of pressure sores
- Antibacterial coating reduces surgical site infection (SSI)
- It can be sterilized at 134 ℃ under high temperature and high pressure, and will not deform after 200 cycles
- MRI/CT compatibility: no metal, no artifacts