Table 2.

Advantages, Disadvantages, and Limitations of the Pink Pad Technique

Advantages	Disadvantages	Limitations
Eliminates post-related complications.	Lighter patients (<∼120 pounds) may require greater degrees of Trendelenburg to achieve distraction.	Surgeon bias toward a perineal post.
Less early postoperative pain (fewer opioids, better early recovery).	Possible anterior tilt of the pelvis with increased lumbar lordosis.	Learning curve that surgeons need to invest in.
Strong distraction force, using gravity and friction— as strong, if not stronger than with use of perineal post, especially with heavier patients, tight stiff hips.	Cannot slide patient up or down the bed; must lift the patient completely off the pad and translate up/down. The friction between pad and patient is too great to permit sliding.
Permits greater range of motion for arthroscopic and fluoroscopic dynamic examination to assess osseous corrections and possible locations of impingement.
Pad can be used on your normal operating room table without buying a completely new table and distractor legs.
Learning curve for positioning is 1 to 5 cases.
Inexpensive single-use item with small size easy for local operating room storage.
Permits central compartment traction-dependent work with less concern for time (surgeon learning curve, teaching trainees and fellow surgeons, more complicated lengthier cases [large posterolateral pincer, protrusio, complete labral reconstruction]).