INTRODUCTION: The manual hyperinflation technique, also called like "bag squeezing" or "bagging", primarily it has described as a tool to improve oxygenation in pre and post-aspiration, tracheobronchial secretions mobilization and reexpansion of collapsed alveoli. OBJECTIVE: To present scientific evidence on the effects of manual hyperinflation (MH) like a physiotherapy resource, as well as clinical indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was performed a review in the electronic databases SciELO, ScienceDirect, PubMed and PEDro, using the descriptors "manual hyperinflation" (hiperinsuflação manual) and "physiotherapy" (fisioterapia). The criteria for inclusions were: include the descriptors in title or abstract; clinical trial about "manual hyperinflation" and physiotherapy; papers in English and Portuguese; publications between 1994 and 2011. RESULTS: It was selected 25 paper; they were unanimous about the importance of MH for tracheobronchial secretions mobilization and for collapsed alveoli reexpansion, to improvement in lung volume. Other indications of this feature are: prevention and treatment of atelectasis, effects can be enhanced when combined with physiotherapy techniques. In this review was noted a concern about the standardization of the technique that shown better results when a volume 50% higher than the patient's tidal volume are applied during the maneuver. Precautions to limit pressure around 40 cm H2O to avoid barotrauma, are also cited by most studies. CONCLUSION: The literature brings evidence that support the indication of MH for tracheobronchial secretions mobilization and elimination, and prevention of infection/complications, and it is necessary to standardize the technique.
Manual hyperinflation; Physiotherapy; Pulmonary secretions
