1. Mobilisation of secretions in infants and children
Robyn Smith
Department of Physiotherapy
University of Free State
2011

2. What exactly is chest physiotherapy (CPT) ?
Chest physiotherapy is the term for a group of treatments and techniques designed to:
improve respiratory efficiency,
promote expansion of the lungs,
strengthen respiratory muscles, and
eliminate secretions
What exactly is chest physiotherapy (CPT) ?

3. Indications for CPT Secretion retention
Decreased lung volume or ventilation
Ventilation perfusion mismatching
Chronic secretion production
Increased work of breathing
Indications for CPT

4. How does the application of CPT differ in children
Most of the techniques used in adults can be used in children
The physiological and anatomical difference of immature respiratory system need to be taken into account however in the case of child
(Ammani Prasad & Main, 2008)
How does the application of CPT differ in children

5. Aim of CPT of to improve respiratory function in the child
Mobilise secretions
Improve ventilation

6. Which techniques are used to mobilise secretions ?
Postural drainage
Mobilisation & physical activity
Manual techniques
Huffing/cough
Humidification
ACBT
PEP
Manual hyperinflations
Nasopharyngeal suctioning
Which techniques are used to mobilise secretions ?

7. Manual techniques

8. Childs conditions needs to be assessed to determine the appropriateness and need
CPT should preferably be done before meals or at least 30 minutes after a meal to reduce the risk of vomiting and aspiration
Evidence base for use of manual techniques efficacy is currently lacking. No studies to show their efficacy in clearing secretions.
Considerations

9. Manual technique used to cause vibrations by clapping over the chest wall to loosen secretions
In children there are various ways of applying this technique:
Single handed percussions in small children
Soft facemask
Tenting
Should be done over a towel to cushion the chest wall
Chest percussions

10. Correct hand position is essential when doing percussions and must be done rhythmically
Chest percussions

11. Percussion done on your lap in children
Percussion done on your lap in children

12. Chest percussions Need to monitor how the child tolerates technique
In neonates stabilise the head to reduce the risk of “shaken baby syndrome” some articles suggest that only gentle vibrations are to be done in neonates and LBW infants .....much contradiction though
Duration of treatment may vary depending on the child’s tolerance and conditions:
Infants 5-10 minutes per lobe
Older children up to15 minutes
Chest percussions

13. Vibrations to the chest wall are done during expiratory phase of breathing
An oscillatory extra-thoracic compressive force is applied by the hands of the physiotherapist on the chest wall
Difficult to apply in children with high RR
Aids secretion clearance by increasing peak expiratory flow
Chest Vibrations

14. Amount of force indicated varies age due to the changing compliance of chest wall
Done on alternate breaths
Used extensively in children where the chest wall is more compliant
In case of paralysis e.g. SCI or GBS
“assisted” cough” or “ rib springing” may be useful to aid the clearing of secretions
Chest Vibrations

15. Precautions percussions/ vibrations
Coagulopathies before transfusion (low platelet count) due to risk of causing pulmonary haemorrhaging or severe bruising
Dietary deficiencies e.g. Vitamin D (Rickets) or osteopenia due to the risk of fracturing ribs
Metastatic carcinoma with metastases to ribs due to the risk of fractures
Over surgical incisions, burn wounds or drainage tubes due to discomfort
Chest trauma with rib fractures
Precautions percussions/ vibrations

16. Precautions percussions/vibrations
Extreme care must be taken in the case of due to the risk of intracerebral bleeding premature infants
Percussions may aggravate bronchospasm or induce bronchospasm in children with an hyper-reactive airway
Can be poorly tolerated by some children
May cause hypoxaemia and be tiring to some children
Avoid vibrations in the case of ↑ICP, rib fractures and chest trauma
An undrained pneumothorax
Precautions percussions/vibrations

17. Manual hyperinflations (MHI) in the ventilated patient

18. Manual hyperinflations
Child is disconnected from the ventilator and is given manual hyperinflations using an ambu bag.
Aim of technique is to:
Improve thoracic compliance
Enhance secretion mobilisation by increasing the peak expiratory flow
Reinflates atelectatic areas
Improves gaseous exchange
Assists in the clearance of secretions in sedated child limited ability to cough
Manual hyperinflations

19. Manual hyperinflations
Evidence for studies on the technique have shown:
↑ TV
↑ inspiratory time
↑inspiratory pressure
↑collateral ventilation
increased release of surfactant
Manual hyperinflations

20. Manual hyperinflations
Aspects of technique noted in the evidence to be of importance:
Inspiratory hold: long inspiration then a hold
Fast release
Intensivist physiotherapist use a sigh breath as recruitment manoeuvre
Manual hyperinflations however can be extremely dangerous in children if a pressure manometer is not present and can cause barotrauma to the delicate lung tissue
Ventilator hyperinflations then can be used as an alterantive
Manual hyperinflations

21. Precautions MHI Premature infants
Haemodynamic instability (hypotensive) can further compromise CVS function
Children with lung hyperinflation e.g. Asthma and Bronchiolitis due to the increased risk of causing a pneumothorax
Undrained pneumothorax
Severe bronchospasm
Precautions MHI

22. Physical activity & exercise

23. Regular physical activity is important as a means of mobilising secretions
The type of activity is dependent on the child’s age
Play e.g. Games e.g. ball, hoola hoop, skipping etc.
Older children more traditions CVS exercise e.g. Stair climbing, walking, running
Often mobilising the child is the most effective means of mobilising secretions and improve endurance and exercise tolerance
Physical activity

24. Coughing & huffing

25. An effective cough is needed to expectorate secretions that have been cleared into the larger airways,
Coughing often occurs spontaneously in children as secretions are mobilised
Young children cannot cough on command complicating expectoration
Children under the age of 5 years battle to expectorate effectively (take this into consideration when collecting sputum specimen)
Coughing

26. In cases where the patient does not cough on command or where cough is weak cough can be “ stimulated” by gentle compression on the trachea just below the thyroid cartilage
In case of simply weak cough can assist with manual pressure on the chest wall
In cases where secretions are not cleared effectively the child will have to be suctioned
Coughing

27. Risks with tracheal stimulation
In children under 2 years can damage the cartilage in the trachea causing fibrosis
Can stimulate a vagal response resulting in bradycardia
Risks with tracheal stimulation

28. Huffing Huffing or forced expiratory technique from mid volume
Can be successfully taught to children as young as 3 years
Very effective means of secretion clearance
Expends less energy than coughing
Huffing

29. PEP

30. Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure

31. Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure
These devices cause oscillation of the air within the airways during expiration with a variable positive end expiratory pressure
Flutter is a small portable device frequently used
Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure

32. Flutter Various child appropriate flutter devices are available
Can be used in children from age approximately 4 years
The Mouthpiece to be placed in mouth, the child is to breathe in, slightly deeper than normal
Breath hold for 3-5 seconds
Child is to exhale into the flutter slightly faster than normal into the flutter
Flutter

33. Flutter This cycle is repeated 4-8 times
The oscillation of the ball in an attempt to elevate the ball to the marked level mobilises secretions
Can be used preferably in sitting or semi fowlers
This is followed by a deep breath and forced expectoration – mucus elimination phase
Flutter

34. Can be combined with huffing or coughing and breathing control
Flutter

35. Bubble PEP

36. What is Bubble PEP? PEP stands for Positive Expiratory Pressure.
Bubble PEP is a treatment to help children who have a build up of secretions in their lungs
Bubble PEP is used for any child who has difficulty clearing secretions e.g. cystic fibrosis (CF) or after surgery.
The child is be encouraged to blow big bubbles through water – this is fun for them!
What is Bubble PEP?

38. Bubble PEP: how does it work?
The child is encouraged to blow down the tubing into the water, and make bubbles.
This creates positive pressure back up the tubing and into the child’s airways and lungs.
As the pressure holds open the child’s airways, it helps more air to move in and out of their lungs.
The air flow helps to move secretions out of the lungs into the bigger airways.
From here, it can be coughed up (cleared), which is the aim of treatment.
Bubble PEP: how does it work?

39. Use a 2 liter fruit juice or milk carton
Use a 2 liter fruit juice or milk carton. Fill the bottle with 1 liter of water and about 5 squirts of liquid soap, plus food colouring if you want coloured bubbles.
Put the plastic tubing into the water, through the handle of the bottle.
Put the bottle into a tray or bowl to catch the bubbles
Bubble PEP treatment

40. Ask the child to take a breath in and blow out through the tubing, into the water to create bubbles. The breath out should be as long as possible. Aim to get the bubbles out of the top of the bottle each time – it may be messy but should be fun!
Repeat 5 times. This is one cycle.
Ask the child to huff (forced expiration technique) and cough to clear the phlegm, as taught by the physiotherapist.
Encourage your child to cough the phlegm out rather than swallow it.
Bubble PEP treatment

41. Bubble PEP treatment Repeat this cycle (steps 1 - 3).
The tubing, bottle and tray should be washed out and left to dry, or dried with a disposable towel and stored in a clean place until next used. You should throw the bottle and tubing away, replacing it with clean equipment, at least once a week.
Use clean water at each session
Each child should have his own apparatus.
Bubble PEP treatment

42. As with all airway clearance devices it is very important that equipment is kept clean to prevent infection.
There have been no reported problems with the use of bubble PEP. Care should however be taken with children who have had neurosurgery, facial or oesophageal surgery.
Be on the lookout for signs of shortness of breath, chest pain or haemoptysis.
Risks of Bubble PEP

43. Postural Drainage

44. What is postural drainage?
Implies the drainage of secretions
by the effect of gravity
from one or more lung segments to the central airways
where they can be removed by cough or suctioning
What is postural drainage?

45. Indications for postural drainage
Aid in sputum clearance and to
Improve respiratory functioning (ventilation)
Indications for postural drainage

46. Timing of postural drainage
Preferably before a meal/feed
Or 30 minutes, but preferably an hour after a meal/feed
Reduces the risk of vomiting or aspiration
Timing of postural drainage

47. Postural drainage positions
Upper lobe
Apical segment sitting or semi-fowlers
Posterior segment R + L (more elevated) side 1/4 turn to prone
Anterior segment: supine flat
Middle lobe
Medial segment (R) :back ¼ to side 35 cm tip
Lingula (L): back ¼ turn side 35 cm tip
Lower lobe
Anterior basal: supine with 46 cm tip
Posterior basal: prone with 46 cm tip
Lateral basal: side lying with 35 cm tip
Postural drainage positions

48. T rendelenburg position
Clear indication for use –child with excessive, tenacious secretions or a child who is battling to expectorate secretions
Monitor child in position -respiration, heart rate, colour, saturation
In some cases a modified postural drainage position is indicated –simply with bed flat
In extremely ill and unstable children it is often not possible to make use of even modified postural drainage positions
At times even a head-up position may be required
T rendelenburg position

49. Preterm infants and Neonates (≤ 1 month) it is completely contraindicated:
intercostals muscles are immature
ribs run horizontally.
The diaphragm does most of the work of breathing but is at a mechanical disadvantage because of its horizontal angle.
Also:
Due to the increased risk of cerebral bleeding
Decreased SaO2 in the position
Increased risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux
Contra-indications

50. In all children monitor respiration carefully in a head down position
Also evaluate how well the child tolerates the position.
In such cases use a modified Pd position
Monitoring child

51. Contra-indications Severely ill and haemodynamically unstable child
Increased ICP / intracerebral bleed/ head injury
Child is hypertensinsive
Cardiac failure and impaired cardiac function
Pulmonary bleeding or pulmonary oedema
Abdominal distension
History of seizures
Contra-indications

52. Contra-indications Diaphragmatic hernia Facial oedema
Pneumothorax without an ICD
Respiratory distress
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Oesophageal surgery
Obesity
Haemoptysis
Contra-indications

53. Uncontrolled airway at risk for aspiration (tube feeding or recent meal)
Contra-indications

54. Postural drainage positions in children – superior posterior lobe

55. Postural drainage positions in children – anterior lobes

56. Postural drainage positions in children – posterior basal lobe

57. Active cycle of Breathing (ACBT)

58. ACBT Well described means of mobilising secretions
Consists of periods of breathing control (relaxed abdominal breathing), deep breathing with inspiratory holds
Mid to low volume huffing and coughs
ACBT

60. Autogenic drainage

61. Aims to maximise the airflow in the airways to improve ventilation and mobilise secretions.
Utilises gentle breaths at different lung volumes to loosen mobilise and clear secretions
Autogenic drainage

62. Autogenic drainage technique
Consists of 3 phases of breathing:
Low lung volumes to mobilise secretions from the peripheral airways (unstick phase)
Tidal volume breathing with slightly prolonged expiration to collect secretions from the middle airways (collection phase)
When sufficient mucus has been collected the child is asked to cough to clear (clearance phase )
Treatment takes approximately 45 minutes
Used in older children
Autogenic drainage technique

63. Hydration & Humidification

64. Humidification Ensure adequate fluid intake
Nasal canulae unsuitable for providing adequate humidification
Cold water “bubble through” does not humidify air beyond the upper respiratory tract
Children receiving nasal oxygen or have tenacious secretions will require additional humidification to loosen secretions;
Saline nose drops
Nebulisation with saline
Humidification

65. Nasopharyngeal suctioning

66. Nasopharyngeal suctioning
Nasopharyngeal/ tracheal suction is a very uncomfortable procedure for an awake child and should only be considered if absolutely necessary
Nasopharyngeal suctioning

67. The procedure should be carefully explained to the child/and parent and written consent attained

68. Indications for suctioning a child ?
Inability to cough e.g. Neuromuscular disease, SCI, decreased LOC
Secretions not cleared effectively using the other techniques
Child still show signs of distress/discomfort
Indications for suctioning a child ?

69. Risks associated with Nasopharyngeal suctioning
Hypoxaemia
Damage to the bronchial mucosa
Bronchial perforation
Vagal stimulation with bradycardia and arrythmias
Larygeal spasm
Inducing pathogens resulting in secondary lung infections
Atelctasis
Risks associated with Nasopharyngeal suctioning

70. Contraindications Child with a skull base fracture
due to the risk of infecting the CSF
Contraindications

71. Suggested catheter size6
Neonate
≤ 6 months 8
1 year 10
2 years 12
6 years
Suggested catheter size

72. Gauging the suctioning depth one can use an estimated distance, by calculating the distance from the to of the child’s nose to the ear it is approximately the same distance to the nasopharynx
Need to decide on the aim of suctioning be it to stimulate cough or deeper suction
Suctioning depth

73. Oropharyngeal suctioning
If suctioning through an airway the suction depth needs to be adjusted
Make use of use a suitably sized airway
Be careful during oropharyngeal suctioning not to elicit a gag reflex
oropharyngeal suctioning can be also used to suction secretions already coughed up into mouth
Oropharyngeal suctioning

74. Considerations when suctioning
Infants need to be retrained by rolling them in a towel restraining the arms so as to avoid them contaminating catheter
Never let a parent restrain a child it is not fair call for assistance prom RN
Use a side lying position, this is advantageous in case where the child might vomit to avoid aspiration
Keep the head in a neutral position even slight extension
Considerations when suctioning

75. Considerations when suctioning
Infection control measures
Clean technique ??? Or sterile remain debatable
Use the lowest possible effective vacuum pressure
The use of a lubricant e.g. KY-Jelly is also debated as has been suggested that it blocks the airway
Supplemental oxygen to counteract hypoxaemia via facemask/ head box must always be available
Monitor RR and SaO2
Considerations when suctioning

76. References Images courtesy of GOOGLE image
Great Ormond Street hospital for Children NHS Trust. May 2010.
rapy_bubble_pep/physiotherapy_bubble_pep_families.html
Golonka, D. Cystic fibrosis: Helping your child cough up mucus. Retrieved on 26 January Available at:
fibrosis-helping-your-child-cough-up-mucus/healthwise-- ug1720.html
AARC Clinical Practice Guideline. Postural Drainage Therapy. Respir Care 1991;36(12):1418–1426]. Retrieved on 26 January 2010.Available at:
References

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References

78. Ammani Prasad, S & Main, E. 2008. Respiratory disease in childhood
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