Supine position

All anterior, anterolateral, lateral and medial approaches may be performed with the patient supine. It is the preferred position for anterior plating and external fixation. It is the position of choice in any emergency.

An additional arm table is recommended.

Operating room personnel (ORP) need to know and confirm:

Site and side of fracture
Type of operation planned
Ensure that operative site has been marked by the surgeon
Condition of the soft tissues
Implant to be used
Patient positioning
Details of the patient (including a signed consent form and appropriate antibiotic and thromboprophylaxis)
Comorbidities, including allergies

General anesthesia
Local nerve block
Combination of nerve block and light general anesthesia

Place the patient supine on an operating table with an attached radiolucent arm table. Abduct the injured arm to approximal 60°, or more, if necessary, to relax the deltoid muscle.

Take care to avoid traction on the brachial plexus by not over abducting or extending the arm at the shoulder. To prevent this, the hand table must be at the same level as the operating table.

Introduce the image intensifier from the top of the OR table.

The entire humerus including humeral head and elbow must be visible in two planes with the image intensifier.

Disinfect the limb up to the shoulder.

For draping either cotton blankets or preshaped single-use drapes may be used.

If cotton blankets are used, place a single drape over the hand table, followed by a larger drape on top which is wrapped around the limb as a shut off.

Spread a third large drape over the patient’s body.

Drape the image intensifier.