Objective To explore the effect of modified surgical position combined with process-flow-based positioning of patients in neurosurgery. Methods A total of 60 patients to receive neurosurgery in lateral position were evenly divided into 2 groups: the intervention group were subjected to modified surgical position combined with process-flow-based positioning method, while the control group were subjected to conventional positioning method. The time spent on positioning, the stability of position, incidence rate of post-operative complications, and satisfaction of the surgical staff, were compared between the 2 groups. Results The time spent on positioning is shorter, body movement during operation is fewer in the intervention group than in the control group; incidence rates of postoperative pressure injury, peripheral nerve injury and neck strain were lower in intervention group than in the control group （P＜0.05，P＜0.01）.Furthermore, doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists had higher satisfaction with the intervention group than with the control group (P＜0.05，P＜0.01）. Conclusion In neurosurgical lateral surgery, the use of modified position and process-flow-based positioning method not only reduces the risk of surgery and the incidence of position-related complications, but also increases the satisfaction of surgical staff.