The mechanism of autogenic drainage studied with flow volume curves.

In 1977, we demonstrated the efficiency of autogenic drainage with two bronchorrheic 
children, who needed bronchography for diagnostic purposes. This demonstration was made 
possible thanks to a radiocinematographic study after bronchography. The examination also 
showed the inefficacy of coughing. The object of the present study 
is to analyze the physiologic mechanism of autogenic drainage. For children 
older than five, this method is very simple and efficient and 
as the effort or onset is not excessive and as expiration 
does not need to be complete, autogenic drainage is not exhausting 
and can be performed for a long time, which is indispensable 
since the progression of secretions is slow. 