Effect of Lateral Versus Supine Positions on Postoperative Hypoxemia

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Lateral decubitus position group (Group L): Upon admission to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), an independent researcher (attending anesthesiologist) assessed the patient using the Ramsay Sedation Scale (1: anxious and agitated; 2: awake, calm, and cooperative; 3: drowsy but responsive to verbal commands; 4: asleep but responsive to tactile stimulation or pain; 5: asleep with a sluggish response to stimulation; 6: deep sleep with no response). Patients in the Lateral Group (Group L) were maintained in the predetermined left lateral position. Standard monitoring was applied, and nasal cannula oxygen was administered at 2 L/min. If SpO₂ remained \>95% for at least 5 minutes, oxygen was discontinued for observation. To ensure strict adherence to the protocol, an independent researcher continuously monitored and verified patient positioning (corrections were made only if the patient rolled unconsciously). Patients were evaluated using the Aldrete discharge scoring system; discharge from the PACU occurred when a score of \>9 was a

Supine position group (Group S): Upon admission to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), an independent researcher (attending anesthesiologist) assessed the patient using the Ramsay Sedation Scale (1: anxious and agitated; 2: awake, calm, and cooperative; 3: drowsy but responsive to verbal commands; 4: asleep but responsive to tactile stimulation or pain; 5: asleep with a sluggish response to stimulation; 6: deep sleep with no response). Patients in the Supine Group (Group S) were turned from the predetermined lateral position to the supine position without a head pillow (head-of-bed elevation at 0 degrees). Standard monitoring was applied, and nasal cannula oxygen was administered at 2 L/min. If SpO₂ remained \>95% for at least 5 minutes, oxygen was discontinued for observation. To ensure strict adherence to the protocol, an independent researcher continuously monitored and verified patient positioning (corrections were made only if the patient rolled unconsciously). Patients were evaluated using the Aldrete discharge

Study summary

Using prospective real-world data, this study aims to determine whether the lateral decubitus position reduces the incidence of post-procedure hypoxemia in patients undergoing painless gastroscopy/colonoscopy, thereby providing a simple, non-invasive, and low-cost optimization strategy for clinical practice.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Incidence of recovery-phase hypoxemia, — From PACU admission until discharge, assessed up to 30 minutes
  Proportion of participants experiencing hypoxemia (SpO₂ ≤ 90% lasting \>10 seconds) during the post-procedure recovery period.

Trial sites (1)

More General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University trials in China

Other trials for the same condition