RT Journal
A1 Hogan, Kathleen A.
A1 Harvey, Susan C.
A1 Conway, William F.
A1 DeRosimo, John F.
A1 Gross, Richard H.
T1 Superior Vena Cava Compression During Posterior Spinal Fusion for Idiopathic ScoliosisA Case Report
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 2009
FD March 1
VO 91
IS 3
SP 696
OP 700
DO 10.2106/JBJS.H.00208
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.H.00208
AB 
Known complications of prone positioning for spinal surgery include visual impairment, blindness, meralgia paresthetica, and elevated intra-abdominal pressure1-3. There are a plethora of positioning frames and tables available for spinal surgery. Much of the focus in positioning the patient is to leave the abdomen hanging freely in order to reduce intra-abdominal pressure. Elevated abdominal pressures have been shown to lead to elevated inferior vena cava pressure, which results in increased blood loss during surgery4,5. In this report, we discuss a patient who had temporary compression of the superior vena cava caused by prone positioning on the patient chest pad of the Jackson spinal table during surgery. The patient and her family were informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and they consented.