Preventing slide in Trendelenburg position: randomized trial comparing foam and gel pads

To compare patient slide in Trendelenburg position using egg-crate foam or gel pad. This randomized trial compared slide on friction pads during Trendelenburg position for robotic and laparoscopic gynecologic procedures in 61 patients at the Mayo Clinic Florida between March 11, 2010 and May 31, 2011. Data was analyzed using Student's t test with significance defined as p <= 0.05. There was no significant difference in mean slide according to pad type (foam 3.0 +/- SD 2.1 cm; gel 4.5 +/- SD 4.0 cm, p = 0.08). Minor complaints occurred in 10 % of patients, and did not differ by group (p = 0.4). Most complaints (98 %) were transient shoulder or neck pain. A single patient had both transient right hand numbness and right lateral thigh paresthesia. We assessed outcomes by chart review from the inpatient care and postoperative evaluation notes (mean 44 +/- SD 17 days), and by review of any intervening notes that occurred before the study's end (mean 345 +/- SD 116 days). Trendelenburg-related slide is equivalent on either egg-crate foam or gel pad.