What does proper positioning of the patient during surgery help achieve?

Proper positioning of the patient during surgery primarily facilitates optimal access to the surgical site. When the patient is positioned correctly, the surgical team can easily visualize and reach the area being operated on, which is essential for the efficiency and effectiveness of the procedure. This optimal access minimizes the risk of complications, reduces the time spent in surgery, and helps maintain the safety of the patient by allowing for better management of the surrounding anatomy.

Although proper positioning can influence post-operative pain, aesthetic outcomes, and team communication, the most critical and immediate goal during surgery is to ensure that the surgical team has unobstructed access to the operative field. This is essential for performing the surgery effectively and safely, which is why optimizing access is the focal point of patient positioning.