Positioning

Neck and shoulders are the most commonly affected, but symptoms may occur in other joints, particularly if you have had problems with these in the past.
Ask about previous major joint surgery or any limitations to movement, particularly your shoulders.
Symptoms improve post op and patient might require physiotherapy

After surgery you may notice some red marks in areas where your body was supported such as the forehead, tip of the nose, cheeks, chin, chest, breasts, hips and knees.
Occasionally these might develop into pressure sores or bruising.
Very occasionally you may notice some minor skin abrasions.
Redness usually goes away within 24 hours, but pressure sores and bruising will take longer.
Large breasts are more vulnerable to direct pressure and patients with breast implants are more at risk.
Please let the anaesthetic or surgical team know if you have breast implants.

A common side effect after prone positioning is swelling of the face, particularly around the eyes and mouth which usually goes within few hours.
We take special care to protect your eyes and keep them free from any pressure.
However, there have been very rare cases of visual loss or even blindness after surgery.
Inc risk in

Increase the risk of heart and lung complications, particularly in those who already have severe breathing or heart problems.

It is difficult to know how each individual will respond to being positioned prone and, rarely, it may not be possible to continue with surgery. If patient unstable during position might need to abandon surgery
In very rare cases, and usually where there are other major risk factors, severe harm can occur from a heart attack or stroke.