Which position involves placing the patient face down and lowering both the head and feet of the bed?

The position that involves placing the patient face down while also lowering both the head and feet of the bed is the Jackknife position. This surgical positioning technique, also known as the Kraske position, allows for access to the back of the pelvis and perineal regions. By raising the middle part of the operating table while the patient's legs are lowered, it creates a V-shape that facilitates certain types of surgical procedures.

This aligns with the primary goal of this position, which is to expose the surgical site adequately while providing support and stability to the patient. The design of the position helps in minimizing pressure on vital organs and delivers optimal visibility for the surgeon.

In contrast, other positions like the prone surgical position simply involve the patient lying flat on their stomach, without modifications to the head and feet of the bed. Fowler's surgical position is characterized by the patient's head being elevated, making it unsuitable for the described requirements. The supine surgical position has the patient lying on their back, again differing significantly from the positioning described in the query.