Urology
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To perform a retrospective review in patients undergoing urologic operations during a 10-year period. Patient positioning is important before surgery to avoid pressure sores and other iatrogenic injuries. The reported risk factors have included a long operative time, diabetes, and malignancy. We have noted skin breakdown in patients placed on stabilizing devices and in patients with germline von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene mutations (a gene important in angiogenesis). ⋯ Patients with longer operative times were at greater risk of skin breakdown and required greater care during preoperative positioning. The other factors studied were not significantly associated with skin breakdown.