TY - JOUR T1 - Effects of Expiratory Rib-Cage Compression on Oxygenation, Ventilation, and Airway-Secretion Removal in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation JF - Respiratory Care SP - 1430 LP - 1437 VL - 50 IS - 11 AU - Takeshi Unoki AU - Yuri Kawasaki AU - Taro Mizutani AU - Yoko Fujino AU - Yaeko Yanagisawa AU - Shinichi Ishimatsu AU - Fumiko Tamura AU - Hidenori Toyooka Y1 - 2005/11/01 UR - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/50/11/1430.abstract N2 - BACKGROUND: Expiratory rib-cage compression, a chest physiotherapy technique, is well known as the “squeezing” technique in Japan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of rib-cage compression on airway-secretion removal, oxygenation, and ventilation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. SETTING: An intensive care unit of an emergency and critical care center at a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: Thirty-one intubated, mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit were studied in a randomized, crossover trial. The patients received endotracheal suctioning with or without rib-cage compression, with a minimum 3-hour interval between the 2 interventions. Rib-cage compression was performed for 5 min before endotracheal suctioning. Arterial blood gas and respiratory mechanics were measured 5 min before endotracheal suctioning (baseline) and 25 min after suctioning. The 2 measurement periods were carried out on the same day. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen, PaCO2, or dynamic compliance of the respiratory system between the 2 periods (before and after endotracheal suctioning). Moreover, there were no significant differences in airway-secretion removal between the 2 periods. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that rib-cage compression prior to endotracheal suctioning does not improve airway-secretion removal, oxygenation, or ventilation after endotracheal suctioning in this unselected population of mechanically ventilated patients. ER -