Which method involves using gravity through positioning to remove secretions from the tracheobronchial tree?

Postural drainage is the method that effectively utilizes gravity through positioning to facilitate the removal of secretions from the tracheobronchial tree. This technique involves placing the patient in specific positions that allow gravity to assist in the drainage of mucus from the lungs. By positioning the patient so that the area of the lung with secretions is elevated, gravity helps pull the mucus into the large airways where it can be more easily coughed out or suctioned.

This method is particularly beneficial in treating conditions that lead to excess mucus production or impaired mucociliary clearance. It is often used in conjunction with other therapies, such as chest physiotherapy, to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

Inhalation therapy refers to the introduction of medications directly into the respiratory system through inhalation, which does not utilize gravity in the same manner as postural drainage. Chest compression, as a technique, usually focuses on applying external pressure to the chest to facilitate breathing or circulation rather than utilizing gravity to assist with mucus clearance. Similarly, respiratory therapy encompasses a wide array of treatments for respiratory issues, which may include breathing exercises, medications, and mechanical ventilation but does not specifically rely on gravity for secretion removal.