Question:
What is this about tilting the operating table?

I have heard that if the surgeon "tilts" the operating table head up slightly during the latter stages of the operation, it greatly reduces pain accompanying the procedure. Is there any truth to this?    — Tom H. (posted on May 10, 2002)

May 10, 2002
I don't know if that's true or not, but would love to find out! During both of my c-sections they tipped my head down, which I found to be very unnerving. The anesthisiologist<sic> said that this was to reduce the risk of clotting during the surgery.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 10, 2002
Hello - my husband is a surgical technologist in surgery (hands instruments and assists) for 13 years now. He has only heard of the patient's head being raised to help with breathing but has not heard of tilting the table to decrease pain afterwards. Ask your doctor his procedures to find out if there is any truth to this. Maybe it's a matter of each facility/surgeon doing their own technique? Good luck to you!
   — KristyKatt

May 10, 2002
The reason that they tilt the table during the end of your surgery is to test for leaks..I had a LAP done Tuesday and my Dr told me that before he closes he fills the stomach cavity up with water and puts a air tube down your throat.They gently close of the other end ( intestines) and tilt you back wards to make sure that no air bubbles or leaks are accuring..then once the water is drained out most of the gas goes along with it...I had NO gas pains what so ever.My Dr also explained that he feels putting someone through all of the trouble of having them drink that yucckky stuff during a leak test with the upper GI is just too tramatic on your body so thats why he does it this way. The tilt way is more acurate cause if a leak IS found then it can be fixed right on the spot and not days later..Believe we its the way to go as long as the gas is gone AND no drinking that stuff..PLUS you dont even know its happening;-)
   — Tina S B.

May 10, 2002
Hi-- when I was in medical school, I got to see a bunch of laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. Besides the sort of leak test that Tina Bostwick describes, I've seen surgeons ask for the table to be tilted so that it's easier to visualize the organ(s) they're working on. Since gas is blown into the abdominal cavity during lap (for the same reason), and since the reabsorption of that gas can be a major cause of post-op pain, that might be what your surgeon meant as a pain-reducing maneuver.
   — Sarah B.