Fig. 1.

Three of the five investigated positions: (1) position C (beach chair position): table in 20° reverse Trendelenburg with the legs elevated at 45°; (2) position D, horizontal, legs up: table horizontal with the legs elevated at 45°; and (3) position E (Trendelenburg position): table in 20° Trendelenburg with the legs flat, increasing the abdominal workspace. For upper abdominal surgery, the beach chair position is ideal, and for lower abdominal surgery, the Trendelenburg position is ideal. Position D disturbs the surgical access