Sims' position

The Sims position, or left lateral Sims position, named after the gynaecologist J. Marion Sims, is usually used for rectal examination, treatments, enemas, and examining women for vaginal wall prolapse.[1][2]

Right lateral Sims position. (The more usual left lateral Sims position, suitable for a right-handed practitioner, has the patient lying on their left side.)
Posterior view of Sims' position
Anterior view of Sims' position

The Sims Position is described as in the person lying on the left side, left hip and lower extremity straight, and right hip and knee bent. It is also called lateral recumbent position.[3] Sims' position is also described as the person lying on the left side with both legs bent.[4]

Detailed description

The position is described as follows:

  1. Patient lies on their left side.
  2. Patient's left lower extremity is straightened.
  3. Patient's right lower extremity is flexed at the hip, and the leg is flexed at the knee. The bent knee, resting against bed surface or a pillow, provides stability.[5]
  4. Arms should be comfortably placed beside the patient, not underneath.[6]

Common uses:

  1. Administering enemas
  2. Postpartum perineal examination
  3. Per-rectal examination
  4. Osteopathic manipulative treatment techniques

See also

References
  1. Pamela J. Carter; Susan Lewsen (2005). "11. Positioning, lifting, and transferring patients and residents". Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants: A Humanistic Approach to Caregiving. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-7817-3981-8.
  2. Naftalin, Alan (2012). "4. Women". In Michael Glynn (ed.). Hutchison's Clinical Methods : An Integrated Approach to Clinical Practice, 23/e. Elsevier. p. 47. ISBN 978-81-312-3288-0.
  3. "Sim's position : Definition". The Free Medical Dictionary. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  4. Bendon, Charlotte; Price, Natalia (2011). "Sims Speculum Examination" (PDF). The Journal of Clinical Examination (11): 57–68. S2CID 29205507. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2016.
  5. "Patient positioning : Sim's position". MoonDragon. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  6. Doyle, Glynda Rees; McCutcheon, Jodie Anita (2015-11-23). "3.5 Positioning Patients in Bed". Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care.
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