Preparation and positioning for surgery

Abstract

Preparing and positioning patients for colonic and anorectal surgery are important preoperative steps. Preparation is crucial in order to perform an intervention in optimal conditions, on a stabilized patient and with minimal risk of post-operative morbidity and mortality. Despite new insights, many procedures in this field remain empirical and arise from evidence-based medicine [44]. Preparation includes bowel preparation (BP), and antibiotic and thromboembolic prophylaxis. Finally, adequate and optimal positioning of the patient on the operating table is mandatory for optimal intervention. The process of rendering the patient fit for surgery and his/her anaesthesiological management will not be discussed here; these topics are covered in Chaps. 12 and 14, respectively. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.