A Simple Way to Achieve the Routine Position for Phacoemulsification in a Patient with Marked Thoracic Kyphosis

PURPOSE: To introduce a simple way for achieving the routine position for phacoemulsification in a patient with a marked thoracic kyphosis. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old man with marked thoracic kyphosis and visually significant cataracts presented for surgery; he was unable to lie flat due to the severe deformity. The best possible surgical position was achieved by placing a chair with an adjustable top between a standard operating table and another small table. The wheels of the table and the chair were securely immobilized by adhesive tape. The space between the operating table and the small table was filled with rolled towels and covered with a blanket. The patient lay down with his head placed on the small table while the kyphotic portion of his thorax fitted into the free space between the small table and the operating table. The variable top of the chair allowed adjusting the space in order to accommodate his kyphotic thorax. Successful temporal approach phacoemulsification was performed comfortably while the patient lay in the standard position required for cataract surgery. CONCLUSION: It is possible to position patients with thoracic problems on a standard operating table using readily available equipment in the operating theater.