POSTOPERATIVE BACKACHE: THE USE OF AN INFLATABLE WEDGE

An inflatable wedge was used to support the lumbo-sacral curve of patients undergoing anaesthesia and surgery in either the supine or lithotomy position. Of the operative factors investigated, the presents of a wedge was the only one found to have a useful influence on the incidence of postoperative backache, which was reduced significantly (P > 0.001).