Supine vs. Prone: A Retrospective Study on Rectum Patient Positioning

Abstract

Patients treated with radiotherapy for rectal cancer at SRCC, are generally treated prone with a full bladder, to limit the volume of small bowel in the high dose region. This protocol has been adapted from facilities that position patients prone on a belly board device, allowing the patient's belly and small bowel, to fall anterior out of the high dose region. In the absence of a belly board, several studies have shown that treating prone compared to supine has limited benefit in terms of reducing small bowel exposure.