From Propped up to Prone: A Paradigm Shift in the Management of Severe COVID Pneumonia!

Coronavirus disease (COVID) pneumonia in the recent times has shown us the importance of prone positioning during the management of moderate to severe hypoxia. In fact, we have rediscovered the benefits of this positional maneuver in coping with the oxygen crisis during the second wave of this dreaded pandemic. While we (the clinicians) derive benefits of this postural therapy for treating our patients, it is imperative for us to know the underlying mechanisms behind improvement in oxygenation in mild to moderate cases of COVID pneumonia. In this brief communication, we try to decipher the miracles of this great life-saver.