Techniques of physiotherapy in intubated babies with the respiratory distress syndrome

Three different techniques of chest physiotherapy have been evaluated in 15 premature infants requiring mechanical ventilation for the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Arterial blood gases were performed 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after contact-heel percussion, cupping with a Bennett Face Mask and vibration with an electric toothbrush. All babies had an increase in pO2 following cupping with a mean rise of 16.6 mm Hg and ten babies had a rise in pO2 with percussion. The improved oxygenation with cupping and percussion did not correlate with the amount of aspirate suctioned nor was there a concomitant improvement in ventilation as measured by pCO2 Active chest physiotherapy was generally well tolerated but suctioning of the endotracheal tube was not well tolerated until the Baby Bird Headpiece was modified, to enable babies to be suctioned without disconnecting from the ventilator ana oxygen supply.