Research Progress on Lung Protection Measures During Prone Position Surgery

The prone position is among the most frequently employed surgical positions in clinical practice. However, it can exert compression on the thoracic and abdominal regions, altering respiratory mechanics, such as a decrease in functional residual capacity, which inevitably results in some degree of ventilatory injury. Consequently, this raises the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, which may increase patient mortality rates and extend hospital stays. Beyond conventional lung-protective ventilation strategies, certain pharmacological interventions and intraoperative fluid management measures have also been shown to provide lung protection. However, most related studies have focused on the supine position. Since the prone position can affect respiratory mechanics and the circulatory system to some extent, the effects of certain measures when applied in the prone position may differ. This narrative review examines the efficacy and potential implications of current lung-protective measures in the prone position, offering guidance on lung protection for patients undergoing general anesthesia and prone position surgery.