Abstract
Objective. Raised intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) has a number of significant adverse physiological effects and it is therefore important to know whether prone ventilation increases IAP. The aim of this study was to address this question. Design. An observational study was carried out to examine the effect of prone ventilation on IAP using a consecutive sample of 10 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing mechanical ventilation in the prone position. Measurement of IAP supine (baseline) and hourly for 5 h after prone positioning was made. Setting. A teaching hospital 12-bed intensive care unit. Main results. The mean IAP supine was 14.5 mmHg and the mean initial IAP prone was 10.3 mmHg and then 11.4, 10.3, 9.9, 9.9 and 8.4 mmHg hourly thereafter. A time series regression analysis demonstrated a small but statistically significant fall in IAP. Conclusion. It can be concluded that prone ventilation does not increase IAP.