Objective To discuss the clinical effect of new position pad for cervical surgery via anterior approach.Methods A total of 100 patients who had cervical surgery via anterior approach from January to December 2011 were chosen and divided into the observation group (n =52) and the control group (n =48).The observation group adopted the new position pad composed by gel shoulder pad,head wear,cylindric cotton fabric roll,while the control group used conventional position pad composed by gel shoulder pad,head wear,sandbag and assistant cushion.Positioning time,operative time,surgical exposure degree,neck skin integrity and position firmness was compared between two groups.Results Positioning and operative time was respectively (3.63 ± 0.67) min and (1.35 ± 0.23) h in the observation group,both shorter than (8.23 ± 0.81) min and (1.56 ± 0.47) h in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (t =26.78,4.59,respectively; P <0.01).The score of surgical exposure degree was (95.41 ±5.48) in the observation group and (70.24 ± 6.46) in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (t =32.81,P <0.01).The rate of position firmness and neck skin integrity was 92.31% and 88.46% in the observation group,and 33.33%,33.33% in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =37.68,32.20,respectively; P < 0.05).Conclusions The new position pad for cervical surgery via anterior approach,which can shorten surgical time,improve position firmness and surgical exposure degree,is practical,effective,convenient and therefore has favorable clinical value. Key words: Cervical spine; Anterior approach surgery; Position pad