The effects of expiratory rib cage compression before endotracheal suctioning on airway-secretion removal in mechanically ventilated patients

Endotracheal suctioning is one of the most frequently used methods for airway clearance in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Chest physiotherapy techniques before endotracheal suctioning can be used to facilitate mobilizing and removing airway secretions. The study was conducted to determine the effects of expiratory rib cage compression before endotracheal suctioning on airway-secretion removal in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. A clinical trial study design was undertaken with a sample of 70 mechanically ventilated patients drawn from intensive care units and emergency department of Hazrat-e Rasool Hospital in Tehran. They were selected through purposive convenience sampling. All participants received two endotracheal suctioning with and without rib cage compression. There was at least three hours interval between the two interventions. Expiratory rib cage compression was performed for five minutes before endotracheal suctioning. Sputum was collected in a pre-weighed sputum trap attached to the suction catheter. Data were collected using data recording sheet. All statistics were computed by the SPSS software data (version 11.5), using Paired T-test. Mean of removed airway-secretions by rib cage compression was 3.66 compare to 3.21 without rib cage compression. Significant differences in airway-secretion removal between the two methods (P<0.0001) were demonstrated. Findings indicated that expiratory rib cage compression before endotracheal suctioning improves airway-secretion removal, compare to performing only endotracheal suctioning. The study recommends performing expiratory rib cage compression before endotracheal suctioning in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.