ObjectiveTo compare the short-and mid-term outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer after subtotal esophagectomy via thoracoscopy in lateral prone position, prone position, or left lateral position. MethodsThis randomized prospectively controlled study was conducted in 121 patients receiving subtotal esophagectomy via thoracoscopy between January 2010 and February 2013. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups to underwent esophagectomy in lateral prone position, prone position, or left lateral position, respectively. Forty-three patients (24 males, 19 females, 61.5±1.5 years) underwent surgery in lateral prone position, 39 patients (21 males, 18 females, 63.2±1.7 years) in prone position and other 39 patients (22 males, 17 females, 60.1±1.6 years) in left lateral position. Esophagogastric anastomosis was performed in the left neck. ResultsThe median operative time in the three groups was 232 (165-296) min, 230 (170-310) min, and 280 (190-380) min, respectively (P < 0.05). The median perioperative bleeding was 262 (185-330) ml, 275 (100-320) ml and 350 (120-560) ml, respectively (P > 0.05). The average number of harvested lymph nodes was 19.1 (9-26), 18.4 (11-23), 10.9 (6-21), respectively (P < 0.05). The postoperative medical complications occurred in 10, 9 and 11 patients in three groups, respectively, with no statistical difference. Twenty patients died in the lateral prone position group after a median follow-up period of 19.2 (6-31) months, 18 patients died in the prone position group after a median follow-up period of 20.7 (8-29) months, and 21 patients died in the left lateral position group after a median follow-up period of 18.5 (12-33) months. ConclusionThe results confirm the feasibility and safety of this minimally invasive esophagectomy via thoracoscopy in lateral prone position, prone position, or left lateral position for patients with esophageal carcinoma. A possible advantage of lateral prone technique is that in case of an emergency, precious time could be saved in changing the position of the patient.
Objective To investigate the current status and influencing factors of the awake prone position in patients with mild and moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods A total of 210 patients with mild to moderate ARDS admitted between December 2022 and January 2023 were investigated by general information questionnaire and self-made prone position knowledge questionnaire. The daily prone position time during hospitalization was recorded. The influencing factors of awake prone position were analyzed by univariate and multivariate linear regression. Results The 210 mild and moderate ARDS patients had an average daily prone position length of stay of (4.97±3.94)h/d, showing a low level. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that prone position knowledge score, age, waist circumference and BMI were the influencing factors of awake prone position (P<0.05). Conclusions Daily awake prone position length was at a low level in mild and moderate ARDS patients. Healthcare workers can prolong the time in the prone position by developing an individualized treatment plan for the prone position, improving the patient’s perception of the prone position, and resolving the discomfort from the prone position.