The use of Polysling™ strap to secure a safe head position in an anaesthetised patient on a beach chair table during shoulder surgery

Abstract

The head ring on the beach chair table used in shoulder surgery has a single strap which is short and pads the forehead only. After repetitive use, the Velcro strap becomes worn and less secure causing concerns about the safety of the intubated patient. The loose straps of a Polysling™ (Molnlycke Health Care AB, SE-402 52 Goteberg, Sweden) can be used as an alternative. One strap is applied in the carniocaudal plane while the second is applied in the frontal-occipital plane (Fig. 1). This technique secures the head of the intubated patient in two perpendicular planes, and can be used on patients of different head size and morphology. Figure 1 Strap 1 secures the head in the carniocaudal plane while Strap 2 secures the head in the frontal-occipital plane.