ObjectiveTo explore the clinical significance of prone position in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by pulmonary contusion.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on pulmonary contusion patients in the Intensive Care Medicine (ICU) from January 2017 to April 2021. The patients were divided into a prone position group (n=121) and a control group (n=117) after screening. The patients' basic conditions, occurrence of ARDS (P/F<150 mm Hg), changes in vital signs, laboratory examinations, lung compliance and other changes after treatment, mechanical ventilation time, staying in ICU, complications, and mortality were recorded and conpared between the two groups.ResultsWhen ARDS [oxygenation index (P/F)<150 mm Hg] occurred, compared with 1 day later, the P/F [(125.7±15.3) vs. (209.5±22.4) mm Hg , P<0.05] and lung compliance [(64.6±4.8) vs. (76.0±5.4) mL/cm H2O, P<0.05] increased in the prone position group. Compare with the control group after 1 day of treatment ARDS (P/F<150 mm Hg), P/F [(209.5±22.4) vs. (126.1±19.5) mm Hg, P<0.05] and lung compliance [(76.0±5.4) vs. (63.5±5.5) mL/cm H2O, P<0.05] increased in the prone position group (P<0.05). Compare with the control group, the prone position group had shortened mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay time, less atelectasis, lower mortality (P<0.05), lower occurrence of pneumothorax (P>0.05).ConclusionProne position treatment for patients with pulmonary contusion after ARDS (P/F<150 mm Hg) can correct hypoxemia faster, improve lung compliance, reduce atelectasis, shorten mechanical ventilation time and stay time of ICU, and reduce mortality, hence it has clinical value.