Safety and effectiveness of chest physiotherapy in lung abscess: a two-case study

Abstract

Lung abscess is a necrotic lesion mostly caused by pyogenic germs. Chest physical therapy (CPT) is indicated, but there are few studies available and no consensus on CPT use and techniques for theses cases. The purpose of this study was to assess safety and effectiveness of postural drainage in treating lung abscess in two cases. Patient 1, male, 30 years old, was laid in Trendelenburg, in semi-lateral to ventral decubitus for 30 minutes, three times a day. After five days of therapy, X-ray showed a 90% decrease of sputum, and on the 14th day full drainage was achieved. Case 2 was a female patient, 28 years old, treated at the same position and frequency as case 1. After seven days of therapy, exams showed a great decrease of pus from the abscess. It may thus be said that postural drainage alone is a safe and effective chest physical therapy technique for treating lung abscesses.