Protective Manual Hyperinflation in Acute Mechanically Ventilated Trauma Patients

This single-blinded randomized study aims to compare two methods of manual hyperinflation (protective - moderate tidal volumes with positive end expiratory pressure) and non-protective (large tidal volume and no positive end expiratory pressure) in ventilated acute trauma patients, to investigate the effect on inflammatory markers, lung compliance, oxygenation and sputum volume.

Current evidence in mechanical ventilation supports a "protective lung strategy" that is, smaller tidal volumes and prevention of loss of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). There is concern that manual hyperinflation (MHI) may conflict with this strategy and cause volutrauma and atelectrauma potentially leading to biotrauma. This single-blinded randomized study aims to compare two methods of manual hyperinflation (protective - moderate tidal volumes with positive end expiratory pressure) and non-protective (large tidal volume and no positive end expiratory pressure) in ventilated acute trauma patients, to investigate the effect on inflammatory markers, lung compliance, oxygenation and sputum volume.