Segmental Postural Drainage in Pulmonary Disease

¹ Chest Service, Lincoin Hospital and Beth David Hospital, New York, New York.

A revision is suggested in our concept of postural drainage for pulmonary disease. Recommendations are made for a more continuous application of its principles to the specific bronchopulmonary segments involved by such suppurative disease as hung abscess and bronchiectasis. The positions selected for segmental postural drainage are applicable to most bedridden and debilitated individuals, since they impose no strain or fatigue and require no special bed or apparatus. The co-ordination of postural drainage with other measures, such as bronchoscopy, cough sedatives, antispasmodics, expectorants and antibiotics is discussed. Some of the medical, surgical and pediatric indications for segmental postural drainage are reviewed. Attention is also directed to its prophylactic aspects.