Since medical science continues to improve, making sure patients are safe and comfortable during surgeries matters now more than at any other time. Where and how a patient is positioned during an operation, even very short ones, is very important for the results and for any post-op recovery.
Because of their advantages, many hospitals now use gel-based lateral positioners and those with silicon gel pads in particular, to help patients in lateral and prone positions. Besides shielding patients from pressure injuries, the gel pads provide the surgical team with better access during surgery. Managing a patient’s position on their side in bed and keeping their head lifted during prone surgeries using lateral position gel pads is improving care in operating rooms.
Let’s find out why so many healthcare facilities now choose gel-based solutions.
Proper surgery positioning is very important
Simply putting a patient on a table and draping him or her does not complete surgical positioning. A lot of thought goes into these efforts and they depend on exact support to succeed.
- Open access for the surgical instruments
- Good alignment of the bones, joints and associated soft tissues
- Stopping pressure injuries as well as nerve damage
- Looking after the lungs and the heart
During lateral decubitus position, support for the patient is highly important. For such sore spots, lateral position gel pads are very useful.
What Do Lateral Position Gel Pads Refer To?
Lateral position gel pads are specially made for therapy by using viscoelastic or silicon gel. Such pads are put under important body areas such as the hip, shoulder and ribcage when the patient lies sideways for the surgery.
They share a person’s weight, reduce rubbing and soften the material for a cushioning effect on skin and nerves. It is especially important because it lets the surgical team keep their position the same for many hours during surgery.
Gel Pads are Now the Choice for More Hospitals Over Sustainable Foam
Before, foam pads and rolled towels were used to prop up patients while they were being treated. They are an upgrade over nothing, but they provide support differently than gel pads can. This is the main reason hospitals are adopting this technology more often.
1. Great Pressure Relief
Gel pads shape your body which helps spread pressure and prevents painful sores or ulcers from being formed—especially important during prolonged supine posturing in bed or side-lying positions.
2. Can Be Used Multiple Times and Save Money
Since silicon gel pads are simple to keep clean and sterilized, they can be used again and again in a hospital. What looks expensive to begin with will actually save you from having to spend more often.
3. Safe for Sensitive Skin
Because silicon gel pads are made without latex and are non-toxic, people who might have allergies or skin issues won’t face as much risk.
4. Property of not sliding and being stable
Gel pads remain in their spot after being settled. There is less chance of movement by the patient which cuts the risk of something going wrong during the procedure.
Common Surgical Procedures That Use Lateral Positioning
Patients are sometimes asked to be in the lateral position for these types of surgeries:
Surgery is sometimes used on the kidneys or adrenal glands.
- Lung removals (also known as lung resections)
- Hip replacements
- Spine surgeries done by neurosurgeons.
- There are some procedures called laparoscopic surgeries
In every procedure, the lateral position gel pads ensure the spine stays in the right position and lowers the pressure experienced by muscles, nerves and joints.
The Role of Gel Pads in Prolonged Supine Posturing
Even if a person is lying on their back for a long time, for example in a hospital ICU or during major surgery, pressure can affect their heels, sacrum and shoulders. This is referred to as prolonged supine posturing in bed, and it’s a known risk factor for pressure ulcers and nerve compression injuries.
Using gel pads under head, back, buttocks and heels can do a lot to help patients by lessening the risks in these situations.
What Makes Silicon Gel Pads Ideal?
You will often see doctors use silicon gel pads as positioning supports in operations. Here we explain why these products are chosen by top hospitals.
- Temperature Neutrality: It feels cool to the touch and does not retain the body’s heat like other materials which benefits patient comfort.
- Supportive Structure: Patients of any size can use the bed without causing it to collapse or lose form.
- Non-Sticky Surface:Easy to move but stays in position without slipping away.
- Versatility: Most are made in different shapes for different parts of the body, head, torso, limbs and joints.
They add important support when they are used with other positioning aids, like a Prone head rest.
Prone Head Rests: Supporting the Face and Neck
If you have to operate a patient face-down (in the prone position), protecting the face, eyes and neck is very important. Gel pads are used to make Prone head rest which secure the head and keep it aligned properly.
With this type of headrest, the eyes and mouth have channels for air to go through which avoids the stress of pressure on the nearby facial bones. Adding in silicon gel pads for the chest, shoulders and pelvis allows the Prone head rest to help provide total body protection while the person is prone.
The Impact on Patient Safety and Satisfaction
Reducing risks for pressure sores is the main purpose of using gel pads in the right positions, not only for comfort. According to research,:
- Applying gel pads drops the rate of pressure ulcers by as much as 60%.
- After the surgery, patients are more satisfied and the pain decreases.
- It is less likely that surgical teams run into problems with the patient shifting or not being fully exposed during surgery.
- Patients who avoid pressure-related issues recover quicker.
Because of this, patients experience better care, there are fewer injuries acquired at the hospital and surgery departments work more smoothly.
Best Practices for Healthcare Professionals
If your workplace is in surgery, anesthesia or critical care, here are various best ways to use gel pads:
Check the patient’s needs before the surgery by looking at their body structure, the length of the procedure involved and their medical background.
- The head, chest, pelvis, knees and heels need support, so place gel pads evenly all around the body.
- Pay attention to your pressure points: Frequent checks might prevent any complications during longer surgeries.
- Don’t forget to clean and examine pads after every period: This is necessary for cleanliness and safety.
Have the surgical staff know the right ways to place the gel pads and head rests, as well as their significance.
Conclusion
Every little feature of surgical care counts and gel pads are one of them. For both side-lying procedures and dealing with problems from prolonged lying on the back in bed, silicon gel pads offer a convenient, safe answer for hospitals.
Using advanced lateral position gel pads, prone head rest and full-support systems, hospitals are enhancing both surgical success and how patients feel during treatment. Gel-based positioning systems are now a common and reliable part of modern surgery.
