2022 Volume 21 Pages 29-37
This study aimed to clarify the current state of perioperative nursing practice in positioning patients for preventing perioperative peripheral nerve injury in endoscopic surgery. We conducted a semi-structured interview with eight perioperative nurses, using an interview guide. Qualitative and inductive analyses were then performed, and the results were categorized. It was observed that perioperative nurses assessed “the patient’s joint movement and physique to get an idea of positioning.” They performed “to prevent brachial plexus injury by placing the head and neck so as not to be rotated or bent sideways” and “to prevent brachial plexus injury by avoiding shoulder compression and adjusting the shoulder angle along with immobilization of the shoulder.” The nurses evaluated “confirming safety by observing no change in positioning” and “continue to evaluate according to the patient’s situation.” Perioperative nurses assessed patient positioning based on the patient’s physical characteristics during the preoperative visits. Brachial plexus injury, which has an increased risk due to the changes in body position caused by the tilting of the operating bed, is prevented by perioperative nurses. Moreover, they continuously monitored patient positioning to detect early changes in body position caused by, tilt of the operating bed.
