Patient positioning outcomes for women undergoing gynaecological surgeries

The purpose of this study was to determine if women undergoing gynecological surgery experienced post-operative pain, separate from surgical site pain, in the lower extremities. The study used a quasi-experimental, comparative, exploratory design. A convenience sample of 153 women, mostly day surgery patients, comprised the study sample. The women were divided into two groups; Group I consisted of women for specific procedures requiring the lithotomy position and Group II consisted of women for specific procedures requiring the supine position. Descriptive statistics were used in the data analysis of the positioning guidelines and pain scale scores. Pearson's Moment Correlations were used to determine relationships among the variables and T-test analysis was used to compare the differences between the two groups. The study found that 41% (n = 63) of the women (N = 153) had pain in the lower extremities, separate from incisional site pain, post surgery. Women who were in position for more than 60 minutes had significantly more pain than those who were in position for less than 60 minutes. Of those who reported pain (41%) there was no difference between the supine and lithotomy groups as to the incidence and severity of the pain. Of those in the lithotomy group who reported pain, there was no difference in the reporting of pain based on the type of stirrup used.