Pediatric Chest Percussors
Chest Percussors
Overview
Chest percussors are specialized medical devices used in chest physiotherapy to mobilize secretions and improve airway clearance in pediatric patients with respiratory conditions.
Key Functions
- Secretion Mobilization: Loosens and helps remove mucus from airways
- Airway Clearance: Facilitates expectoration of secretions
- Lung Expansion: Improves ventilation to affected areas
- Chest Wall Mobility: Enhances respiratory mechanics
Basic Principles
- Frequency: 3-6 Hz optimal percussion rate
- Duration: 3-5 minutes per area
- Force: Age and condition-appropriate
- Coverage: Systematic approach to all lung segments
Types and Methods
Manual Percussion Devices
- Percussion Cups
- Dome-shaped plastic or rubber
- Various sizes for different age groups
- Ergonomic handles for therapist comfort
- Palm Cups
- Contoured to fit therapist's hand
- Lightweight design
- Easy to clean and maintain
Mechanical Percussors
- Electronic Percussion Devices
- Adjustable frequency settings
- Battery or mains powered
- Multiple attachments available
- Pressure monitoring capabilities
- High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation
- Vest-based systems
- Programmable frequencies
- Multiple therapy modes
- Pediatric-specific settings
Clinical Technique
Proper Application
- Patient Positioning
- Drainage positions based on affected segments
- Comfort measures for infants and young children
- Support with pillows as needed
- Consider developmental stage
- Percussion Technique
- Rhythmic cupped-hand movements
- Systematic coverage of affected areas
- Age-appropriate force
- Regular assessment of effectiveness
- Treatment Protocol
- 3-5 minutes per position
- Combined with postural drainage
- Integration with breathing exercises
- Regular breaks as needed
Quality Assessment
- Monitor breath sounds
- Observe secretion clearance
- Assess patient comfort
- Document effectiveness
Indications and Contraindications
Primary Indications
- Respiratory Conditions
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Bronchiectasis
- Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Acute Conditions
- Pneumonia
- Atelectasis
- Post-operative chest conditions
- Acute bronchiolitis
Absolute Contraindications
- Medical Conditions
- Unstable cardiac status
- Pulmonary hemorrhage
- Rib fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Chest wall pain
- Patient Factors
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Active bleeding
- Untreated pneumothorax
- Severe thrombocytopenia
Relative Contraindications
- Recent chest surgery
- Bronchospasm
- Severe asthma exacerbation
- Chest wall inflammation
