Prone ventilation--it's time.
Prone positioning to improve oxygenation in acute lung injury was first reported over 20 years ago. Although this and several subsequent studies have shown that prone positioning improved oxygenation in the majority of patients, it has failed to become common practice in intensive care units. This paper reviews the mechanism by which prone positioning improves oxygenation and the clinical studies of its use to date.
Tobin
A
A
Intensive Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
Kelly
W
W
D006801:Humans; D016684:Prone Position; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio