Effect of Different Bed Head Angles on Intraoperative Hypoxemia in Patients Undergoing Painless Gastroenteroscopy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different bed angles (0° vs. 15°) on the incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing gastroscopy and colonoscopy. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of patient positioning on respiratory safety, providing evidence for individualized anesthesia management. Background: With the increasing popularity of painless gastrointestinal endoscopy, hypoxemia has become a major safety concern in anesthesia management, particularly in elderly and obese patients. Studies have shown that the incidence of hypoxemia can exceed 26%, highlighting the importance of optimizing respiratory safety during anesthesia. Methods: A total of 400 patients scheduled for painless gastrointestinal endoscopy were recruited and randomly assigned to a control group (0° left lateral position) or an experimental group (15° left lateral position). Baseline data were recorded preoperatively. Intraoperative vital signs were monitored, and the occurrence of hypoxemia and other complications was documented. Data were collected and processed in a blinded manner, followed by statistical analysis using SPSS 26.0.