Benefits of Inhalation of Hypertonic Saline Solution Prior to Physiotherapy ELTGOL Technique in Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic bronchial disease in which the usual capacity to remove secretions does not function correctly, causing mucus retention that leads to chronic infection. As with all infections, the use of antibiotics and puss removal are essential treatment elements. Physiotherapeutic techniques are used to assist in the removal of secretions, although these are time-consuming practices that need to be much better studied and which patients often do not continue practicing diligently. A physiotherapeutic technique called (Slow prolonged expiration in lateral decubitus) ELTGOL has been shown to be somewhat effective but as the mucus is viscous in this disorder, it can be difficult to get it to move. It is thought that saline solution inhalations may reduce mucus viscosity and could help to ease expectoration, facilitating the removal of the mucus by the physiotherapeutic technique. This project aims to test this hypothesis, which if true could represent an advance in the treatment of this severely debilitating disease.