A method of manipulating the position of a patient during surgery is disclosed. The method includes providing a patient manipulation device having a plurality of hinged segments. A patient is placed in a first position on the device such that the length of the patient's body is parallel to an axis of rotation of the hinged segments. One of the segments is lifted to rotate the patient about the length of the patient's body to a second position on the device. In one embodiment, the patient manipulation device includes a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid patient support segments each of which has a width substantially as large as a width of a surgical table with which the device is used. The segments have longitudinal axes arranged parallel to each other and are joined together by hinges configured for rotation of the segments about the length of the patient's body.