Open Access

HOW I DO IT

How I Do It: Modification of technique to safely position patients with super obesity in dorsal lithotomy for ureteroscopic management of kidney stones

Jordan Allen, Necole M. Streeper

Division of Urology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Necole M. Streeper, Division of Urology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Mail Code H055, 500 University Drive, PO Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033-0850 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2020, 27(6), 10488-10491.

Abstract

Obesity is a known risk factor for recurrent nephrolithiasis and it can be challenging to provide safe surgical intervention in the super obese population. Despite high weight limits on surgical beds, these often do not take into account positioning the patient on the end of the bed for dorsal lithotomy, which can risk an unsteady bed. In addition, depending on patient habitus the leg stirrups may not accommodate. There is limited literature that discusses the technical approach for positioning super obese patients in dorsal lithotomy when the weight limit approaches or exceeds the capacity of equipment available. In this article, we present a modified positioning technique to improve bed stability, which also provides an alternative if the patient’s legs are not supported by available leg stirrups. From our experience, this modified dorsal lithotomy positioning for ureteroscopy is feasible and safe in patients with super obesity. Surgical intervention on this population requires appropriate planning and teamwork to ensure safe positioning.

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