俯臥姿勢在病人身上的運用可以朔推到1949 年，一開始乃是為了針對脊椎手術而設計的，卻因此而發現到人體在俯臥下之各種生理反應變化，其中最重要的是促進病患氧合能力的上升作用。而直至1974年起，此一發現才運用在因肺損傷而導致呼吸窘迫的病患身上。在急性呼吸窘迫症接受呼吸器通氣的病患中，雖然研究上明顯的發現，俯臥通氣可以改善病人的血氧量，但是對於病患的預後，卻尚無實證醫學上令人滿意的結果，而且在俯臥通氣下，一些可能的併發症，也可能會對病患造成傷害，因此我們認為，對於俯臥姿勢之生理機制，適應症，操作方法，以及可能產生之併發症，進行整理報告將有助於臨床醫護人員對此一治療方式應用在急性呼吸窘迫症上有更進一步的了解。

Prone position of patients is adopted for surgical approach of the spine since 1949. Under the position,varieties of physical reactions are noted, especially over increasing oxygenation. Since 1974, prone ventilation has
been performed over ventilated patients with acute respiratory distresssyndrome for increasing oxygenation. From recent several evidence-based studies, prone ventilation could improve the oxygenation of those patients, but no satisfactory benefits are proved over clinical outcome. Besides, the patient could be hurt due to some complications of prone ventilation. Therefore, we collect reports to contribute clinical staff in understanding the physiological mechanism, indications, practice, and complications of prone ventilation.