Position of patient and respiratory function in immediate postoperative period.

Respiratory function was studied in 19 patients placed in both the supine and sitting positions in the early postoperative period. Although the sitting position was expected to improve respiratory function, no such advantage was found; instead, a small but statistically significant deterioration in arterial oxygenation was found in most patients when sitting up. It is concluded that no respiratory benefit should be expected from sitting patients up in the early postoperative period.