Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of prone position

Advantages	Disadvantages
Reduction in ventral-dorsal transpulmonary pressure difference resulting in:	Increased incidence of pressure sores, tracheal tube obstruction and dislodgement of thoracostomy tubes
Increase in ventilation homogeneity
Decrease in ventral alveolar over-inflation and dorsal alveolar collapse
Reduction in ventilator-induced lung injury as a result of reduction in alveolar distension	Increased manpower needed to turn patient to prone
Improved ventilation/perfusion matching due to reduction in compressive forces as well as greater pulmonary blood flow at non-dependent dorsal lung region	Contraindicated in patients with unstable spinal or pelvic fractures, open chest or abdomen, central cannulation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ventricular assist devices, pregnant women in 2nd and 3rd trimesters
	Inability to immediately perform procedures such as intubation and chest compression for patient in the prone position