Removal of the cervical collar from alpine rescue protocols? A biomechanical non-inferiority trial in real-life mountain conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alpine skiing rescues are challenging because of the mountainous environment and risks of cervical spine motion (CSM) induced during victims' extrications (EXs) and downhill evacuations (DEs). The benefits of applying a cervical collar (CC) over manual in-line stabilization without CC (MILS) in terms of spinal motion restriction during simulated alpine rescues are undocumented. Our hypothesis was that CSM recorded using MILS alone is non-inferior to CSM recorded with a CC according to a 10 degrees margin.

Methods

A total of 32 alpine extrications and 4 downhill evacuations on different slope conditions were performed using a high fidelity mannequin designed with a motion sensors instrumented cervical spine. The primary outcome was the peak extrication 3D excursion

SUBMITTER: Grenier G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9235139 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature