NCT07161817

Effect of Postural Changes on Postoperative Hypoxemia

Effect of Semirecumbent and Lateral Positioning on Postoperative Hypoxemia : a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1,200 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Yuhu Ma · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn which positioning strategy works better to prevent postoperative hypoxemia in surgical patients: semirecumbent positioning or lateral positioning. It will also learn about the safety and effectiveness of these two positioning approaches. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does semirecumbent positioning reduce the incidence of postoperative hypoxemia more effectively than lateral positioning? Does lateral positioning reduce the incidence of postoperative hypoxemia more effectively than semirecumbent positioning? What are the differences in patient comfort and recovery outcomes between these two positioning strategies? Researchers will compare semirecumbent positioning directly to lateral positioning to see which approach is more effective in preventing postoperative hypoxemia. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either semirecumbent positioning or lateral positioning after surgery Have their oxygen levels and breathing monitored regularly during the postoperative period Receive standard post-surgical care with their assigned positioning strategy Be assessed for comfort levels and any positioning-related complications Have their recovery progress tracked throughout their hospital stay.

Conditions

• Postoperative Hypoxemia
• Position Differences

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Lateral positioning	Patients allocated to lateral positioning were placed at 90° on a horizontal bed, supported with a pillow to maintain neutral alignment of the spine and avoid hyperextension or forward flexion of the neck. No preference was specified for left or right lateral decubitus positioning, allowing flexibility based on patient comfort and surgical requirements.
BEHAVIORAL	Semirecumbent positioning	Patients in the semi-recumbent position were placed in the bed and the head of the bed was raised by 30 °, allowing flexibility based on patient comfort and surgical requirements.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2027-10-01
• Completion: 2028-10-01
• First posted: 2025-09-09
• Last updated: 2026-01-14