TREATMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE LUNG FAILURE U SING PRONE POSITION

Of forty-three consecutive patients with severe adult respiratory dist ress syndrome (ARDS) treated in the prone position pulmonary function improved significantly in 39 patients during the first 12 h in prone p osition. Changes were most pronounced in patients with high QS/QT, as well as in patients in the early stages of ARDS. Twenty eight patients could be weaned from the ventilator, and 22 patients were able to lea ve the hospital. These results suggest that prone position has an impo rtant role in the overall therapeutic approach to ARDS and should be u sed as early as possible.