Chest physiotherapy in mechanically ventilated patients without pneumonia—a narrative review

A beneficial adjuvant role of chest physiotherapy (CPT) to promote airway clearance, alveolar recruitment, and ventilation/perfusion matching in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients with pneumonia or relapsing lung atelectasis is commonly accepted. However, doubt prevails regarding the usefulness of applying routine CPT in MV subjects with no such lung diseases. In-depth narrative review based on a literature search for prospective randomized trials comparing CPT with a non-CPT strategy in adult patients ventilated for at least 48 h. Six relevant studies were identified. Sample size was small. Various CPT modalities were used including body positioning, manual chest manipulation (mobilization, percussion, vibration, and compression), and specific techniques such as lung hyperinflation and intrapulmonary percussion. Control subjects mostly received general nursing care and tracheal suction. In general, CPT was safe and supportive, yet had debatable or no significant impact on any relevant patient outcome parameter, including pneumonia. Current evidence does not support “prophylactic” CPT in adult MV patients without pneumonia.