Prone ventilation

The adverse effects of the supine position on lung function were first demo nstrated in 1922. Demonstrations that moving patients with acute respirator y distress syndrome from supine to prone could improve oxygenation date to the mid-1970s. This article summarizes the current understanding of the mec hanism by which the prone position has this effect and speculates on the ro le that prone ventilation might have in limiting ventilator-induced lung in jury.