what is prone position used for

The prone position is a patient position used during surgical procedures that provide surgical access to the dorsal aspects of the patient’s body, such as spine and neck surgeries, neurosurgery, colorectal surgeries, vascular surgeries, and tendon repairs. In addition, the prone position is used to help patients with certain serious respiratory conditions breathe better, such as those with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) . When a patient is lying on their belly in the prone position, the weight of their heart and abdominal organs rests on their chest instead of their lungs, which improves gas exchange and makes breathing more efficient. The prone position produces an increase in functional residual capacity and alterations in the distribution of both ventilation and perfusion throughout the lungs, leading to an improvement in the ventilation/perfusion matching and consequently, an improvement in oxygenation. However, the prone position involves risks and complications such as increased intra-abdominal pressure, increased bleeding, abdominal compartment syndrome, limb compartment syndrome, nerve and pressure injuries, and cardiovascular compromise, among others. Therefore, when positioning a patient in prone, surgical staff should use safe practices and guidelines, and a team of trained clinicians, including respiratory therapists, nurses, and a physician, are necessary to safely reposition a patient.