Comparison of expectoration effect between applying the vest airway clearance system and vibration sputum elimination apparatus for elderly postoperative patients

Objective To compare the expectoration effect between applying the vest airway clearance system and vibration sputum elimination apparatus for elderly postoperative patients.Methods A total of 40 patients were randomly divided into the vest group and control group.Both daily volume of sputum excreting of all patients and the incidence rate of postoperative pulmonary infection were compared.Results Daily sputum excreting volume of patients in the vest group increased obviously(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences between two groups in the incidence rate of postoperative pulmonary infection.Condusions The effect of using the vest airway clearance system for postoperative elderly patients was superior to that of vibration sputum elimination apparatus for sputum excretion. Key words: Elderly; Sputum elimination; Vibration sputum elimination; Vest airway clearance system