Konstan M W, Stern R C, Doershuk C F
LeRoy W. Matthews Cystic Fibrosis Center, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH 44106.
J Pediatr. 1994 May;124(5 Pt 1):689-93. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)81356-3.
The Flutter is a handheld device designed to facilitate clearance of mucus in hypersecretory lung disorders. Exhalation through the Flutter results in oscillations of expiratory pressure and airflow, which vibrate the airway walls (loosening mucus), decrease the collapsibility of the airways, and accelerate airflow, facilitating movement of mucus up the airways. We studied 18 patients with cystic fibrosis and mild to moderate lung disease to determine the efficacy of the Flutter in clearing mucus from the airways. The amount of sputum expectorated (measured by weight) when the Flutter was used was compared with the amount expectorated with vigorous voluntary coughing and with postural drainage (chest percussion and vibration). The amount of sputum expectorated by subjects using the Flutter was more than three times the amount expectorated with either voluntary cough or postural drainage (p < 0.001). There were no adverse effects. The Flutter is simple to use, inexpensive, and fully portable, and once the patient and family are instructed in its use, it does not require the assistance of a caregiver. For hospitalized patients, elimination of the need for a therapist could reduce health care costs. Long-term studies of the use of the Flutter seem justified to determine its effects on pulmonary function and outcome.
弗勒特（Flutter）是一种手持设备，旨在促进分泌物过多的肺部疾病中黏液的清除。通过弗勒特呼气会导致呼气压力和气流振荡，从而使气道壁振动（松解黏液），降低气道的可塌陷性，并加速气流，促进黏液沿气道向上移动。我们研究了18例患有囊性纤维化和轻度至中度肺部疾病的患者，以确定弗勒特在清除气道黏液方面的疗效。将使用弗勒特时咳出的痰液量（按重量测量）与用力自主咳嗽和体位引流（胸部叩击和振动）时咳出的痰液量进行比较。使用弗勒特的受试者咳出的痰液量是自主咳嗽或体位引流时咳出量的三倍多（p<0.001）。未出现不良反应。弗勒特使用简单、价格低廉且完全便于携带，一旦患者及其家人学会如何使用，就无需护理人员协助。对于住院患者，无需治疗师可降低医疗成本。对弗勒特使用情况进行长期研究以确定其对肺功能和预后的影响似乎是合理的。
