“…The first uses sustained increased airway pressure for recruitment of collapsed alveolar units, thus increasing the lung area available for gas exchange and, consequently, arterial oxygenation. (5,6) The second may be considered for patients who need increased positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP) and FiO 2 in order to keep appropriate oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ), or patients with acute lung injury (ALI)/severe ARDS, except for those of r high risk of adverse consequences related to posture changes or patients quickly improving. (7) A literature review was performed, searching books in private collections, and databases MedLine, LI-LACS, SciElo, PubMed, Cochrane, from 1994 to 2008 in Portuguese and English using the key words: acute respiratory distress syndrome, alveolar recruitment maneuver and prone position.…”