Postoperative backache: the use of an inflatable wedge.

An inflatable wedge was used to support the lumbo-sacral curve of patients undergoing anaesthesia and surgery in either the supine or lithotomy position. Of the operative factors investigated, the presence of a wedge was the only one found to have a useful influence on the incidence of postoperative backache, which was reduced significantly (P less than 0.001).