Consistency of sternal percussion performed manually and with mechanical thumper

Auscultatory percussion is a technique that is potentially useful to study the acoustic behaviour of the chest. However, finger percussion, as used in this technique, has not been previously assessed for consistency. Correspondence: S.S. Kraman We calculated the intrasubject variability and short-term reproducibility of this technique in 10 healthy subjects. We examined several indices of the output sound of two series of sterna! percussion manoeuvres performed one hour apart by the same examiner. The results were compared to those obtained during sterna! percussion performed by a mechanical thumper.