Flutter a device for clearance of airway

FLUTTER- A DEVICE FOR AIRWAY
CLEARANCE
SHILPASREE SAHA
MPT
CARDIOTHORACIC DISORDER
ROLL NO- 18188006

 Oxygen transport or ventilation is the primary
function of respiratory system.
 Several medical , surgical, environmental
condition or some other factors may interfere
this process.
 Normally 2lt of mucus is produced per day.
 Excess mucus in the airway may hamper the
exchange of gases.
 Airway clearance technique is the technique of
mobilization of secretion from airways in
patients with impaired mucociliary clearance or
an infective cough mechanism.

 The FLUTTER is a respiratory device that
produces an oscillatory positive expiratory
pressure that can be used as an alternative for
removal of secretion.

 Flutter is a pipe like device, one way valve
consists of:
 Mouthpiece
 Plastic cone
 Steel ball
 Perforated plastic cover

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION:
The principle of the Flutter as a mucus clearance
device is based on its ability to:
 Vibrating the airway.
 Intermittently increase endobronchial pressure.
 Accelerate expiratory airflow.

FREQUENCY AND DURATION
 Flutter therapy is more goal based, than time
based therapy & experience has shown
successful clearing of airways for most
patient will occur in approximately 5-15
minutes.
 Use of flutter thrice a day is usually
recommended.

INDICATION
 Cystic fibrosis
 Emphysema
 Bronchitis
 COPD
 Atelectasis
 Bronchiectasis
 Asthma

CONTRAINDICATION
 Pneumothorax
 Haemoptysis
 Acute right sided heart failure

BENIFITS
 Loosens trapped mucus.
 Keep the airway open.
 Triggers patients to cough which relieves the
mucus from lungs.

DISADVANTAGE
 Costly.
 It can be broken if not handled carefully.

CLEANING THE FLUTTER
 The FLUTTER is recommended for single patient
use only.
 Instruct patients to clean the FLUTTER after
each session to remove moisture and/or mucus.
 In every two days, patients should disassemble
and clean their FLUTTER in a solution of mild
soap or detergent.
 Chlorine bleach or other chlorine-containing
products (e.g., dishwashing detergent) should
not be used.
 Rinse, dry, reassemble, and store.

PRECAUTIONS
 The steel ball within the FLUTTER, if
separated from the FLUTTER, could pose a
choking hazard.
 The FLUTTER must be handled carefully; it
may break if dropped on a hard surface.

CONCLUSION
 Flutter is a hand held device that can be
recommended for home based protocol after
giving proper training to the patient.
 It will help to reduce the physical effort &
focus more on mechanical effort to remove
secretion.

Reference:
 1. Konstan MW, Stern RC, Doershuk CF. Efficacy of the FLUTTER® device
for airway mucus clearance in patients with cystic fibrosis.J Pediatrics May
1994; 124:689-693.
 2. Frownfelter D, Dean E,Principles and practice of cardio pulmonary
physical therapy, third edition.
 3. Effects of treadmill exercise versus Flutter® on respiratory flow and
sputum properties in adults with cystic fibrosis: a randomised,controlled,
cross-over trial .TiffanyJ. Dwyer, Rahizan Zainuldin et al. Dwyer et al.
BMC Pulmonary Medicine (2017) 17:14
 4. Current devices of respiratory physiotherapy.Hristara – Papadopoulou
A,Tsanakas J, Diomou G et al. HIPPOKRATIA 2008, 12, 4: 211-220
 5.The Efficacy of Flutter® and Active Cycle of BreathingTechniques in
Patients with Bronchiectasis: A Prospective, Randomized, Comparative
Study. Bilge Üzmezoğlu1, Gündeniz Altıa et al . DOI:
10.5152/TurkThoracJ.2018.17050

Flutter a device for clearance of airway

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