A multicenter randomized trial conducted by Hui Ye, MD, and colleagues from Zhejiang University School of Medicine demonstrated that lateral positioning significantly reduces hypoxaemia in sedated adult patients in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Among 2,143 patients, only 5% in the lateral group experienced hypoxaemia compared to 15% in the supine group. The trial revealed lower incidences of severe hypoxaemia and the need for airway rescue interventions in patients positioned laterally, suggesting this method is a cost-effective and easily implementable solution for improving patient outcomes following general anesthesia.

Source: The BMJ