A novel cervical-spine immobilization technique for traumatic spinal cord injury prevention in resource-limited

Title : A novel cervical-spine immobilization technique for traumatic spinal cord injury prevention in resource-limited

Abstract:

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) constitutes a considerable portion of the global injury burden, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Prehospital care can address TSCI morbidity and mortality, but insufficient emergency medical services suggest alternatives to high-income standards such as cervical collars are necessary for patients with suspected traumatic spinal cord injury. We propose a novel method of c-spine immobilization using folded towels.

Methods: Using non-inferiority trial design, thirty healthy patients (median age=22) were enrolled to test the efficacy of folded towels in comparison with rigid cervical collars, foam neck braces, and no immobilization. We measured cervical range of motion (CROM) in six cardinal directions in seated and supine positions. A weighted composite score (CS) was generated to compare immobilization methods. A preserved fraction of 75% was determined for non-inferiority, corresponding to the difference between the median values for CROM between control (no immobilization) and c-collar states.

Results: C-collars reduce median CROM in six cardinal directions in seated and supine positions by an average of -36.83° seated (-17.75° supine) vs no immobilization. Folded towels and foam neck braces reduced CROM by -27° seated (-16.75° supine) and -14.25° seated (-9.5° supine), respectively. Compared to a 25% non-inferiority margin (permitting an average 9.21° of cervical movement across six cardinal directions), the CS determined folded towels are non-inferior (CS_seated=0.89, CS_supine=0.47). Foam neck braces are inferior (CS_seated=2.35, CS_supine=2.10). CS>1 surpassed the non-inferiority margin and were deemed inferior.

Conclusions: Folded towels are a non-inferior means of immobilizing c-spine in extension and rotation, but not flexion, vs c-collars. We propose folded towels could be trialed in combination with backboards to deliver affordable and effective prehospital TSCI management in resource-limited settings.

Biography:

Zachary received his degree in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. In addition to working as an EMT, he earned certifications in FEMA Incident Command and Management Systems, as well as EMS instruction through the National Association of EMS Educators. In 2018, Zach co-founded LFR International, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with low-resource communities around the world to train first responders and establish sustainable emergency medical services. Zach is currently pursuing his M.D. as a Dean's Scholar at the University of Michigan and hopes to pursue a career in global surgery.