Trendelenburg position

In the Trendelenburg position (/ˈtrɛndələnbɜːrɡ/), the body is lain supine, or flat on the back on a 15–30 degree incline with the feet elevated above the head.

[1] The reverse Trendelenburg position, similarly, places the body supine on an incline but with the head now being elevated.

Evidence does not support its use in hypovolaemic shock, with concerns for negative effects on the lungs and brain.

[3] Most recently, the reverse Trendelenburg position has been used in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, also known as MIGS.

This position is commonly used for a superior sitting surgeon that uses a combination of downward patient tilt, of approximately 30 to 35 degrees, microscope tilt towards themselves at the same angle and an intraoperative goniolens or prisms that allows them to visualise the inferior trabecular meshwork.

Medical mannequin placed in the Trendelenburg position
subject is lying on their back with legs higher than their body
Trendelenburg position
subject is lying on their back with legs lower than their body
Reverse Trendelenburg
subject is lying on their back with legs raised and knees over another person's shoulders
A historic depiction of the Trendelenburg position