Change trend of respiratory mechanics in prone position

Prone position ventilation,as a treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome, can decrease ventilator-induced lung injury,improve oxygenation and survival rate. The mechanism includes the improvement of the respiratory mechanics. The beneficial respiratory mechanics changes can be found in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patients in prone position by analysing the respiratory mechanics changes such as compliance of the respiratory system, pressure of the thorax and abdomen, lung stress and strain, flow, resistance and work of breathing in prone position. But many problems still need to be explored, such as the time to implement prone postion. Key words: Prone position ventilation; Respiratory mechanics; Acute respiratory distress syndrome