Taizo Nakanishi1, Biswadev Mitra2, Helen Ackland2, Gerard O'Reilly2, Peter Cameron2. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan. Electronic address: taizo81@gmail.com. 2. Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cervical spine immobilization, including cervical collars, has been recommended in most trauma guidelines. However, cervical spine immobilization can be associated with harm, and an increasing body of evidence has demonstrated associated complications. We hypothesized that older trauma patients placed in cervical collars for >24 hours were at greater risk of developing collar-related complications compared with those placed in cervical collars for ≤24 hours. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of injured patients without a fracture of the cervical vertebrae, aged ≥65 years, who had been placed in a cervical collar during the period from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was the composite of the in-hospital development of nosocomial pneumonia and collar-related pressure ulcers. RESULTS: A total of 1154 patients had been treated with cervical collars during the study period, and 61 (5.1%) had developed collar-related complications. Male sex, a lower initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, a history of congestive heart failure, a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, operative management, and longer hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay demonstrated a univariable association with collar-related complications (P < 0.10), in addition to a duration in the collar for >24 hours. An independent association was found between collar duration >24 hours and the outcome of interest (adjusted odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-5.39; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Among older patients without a cervical vertebral fracture, duration of cervical collar use for >24 hours was associated with the development of collar-related complications. We recommend attention to early collar clearance for older trauma patients.
BACKGROUND: Cervical spine immobilization, including cervical collars, has been recommended in most trauma guidelines. However, cervical spine immobilization can be associated with harm, and an increasing body of evidence has demonstrated associated complications. We hypothesized that older traumapatients placed in cervical collars for >24 hours were at greater risk of developing collar-related complications compared with those placed in cervical collars for ≤24 hours. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of injured patients without a fracture of the cervical vertebrae, aged ≥65 years, who had been placed in a cervical collar during the period from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was the composite of the in-hospital development of nosocomial pneumonia and collar-related pressure ulcers. RESULTS: A total of 1154 patients had been treated with cervical collars during the study period, and 61 (5.1%) had developed collar-related complications. Male sex, a lower initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, a history of congestive heart failure, a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, operative management, and longer hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay demonstrated a univariable association with collar-related complications (P < 0.10), in addition to a duration in the collar for >24 hours. An independent association was found between collar duration >24 hours and the outcome of interest (adjusted odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-5.39; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Among older patients without a cervical vertebral fracture, duration of cervical collar use for >24 hours was associated with the development of collar-related complications. We recommend attention to early collar clearance for older traumapatients.