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Bhushan A, Beland A, Poelstra C, Butterfield J, Angel M, Cheung T, Plater E, Guha D, Pahuta M, Macedo LG. Immobilization Protocols for the Treatment of Cervical Spine Fracture: A Scoping Review. Spine J 2024:S1529-9430(24)00264-X. [PMID: 38908439 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current protocols on cervical immobilization post-cervical spine fracture are widely accepted in the acute rehabilitation of older adults, however consensus on its overall effectiveness remains lacking. PURPOSE Summarize information from original studies on available cervical immobilization protocols following a cervical fracture and to answer the questions; Which types of study designs have been used to assess the effectiveness of these protocols? What are the currently reported cervical immobilization protocols following cervical fracture in adults? What is the effectiveness of these protocols? What adverse events are associated with these protocols? STUDY DESIGN Scoping review was performed PATIENT SAMPLE: Searches were performed on the following online databases from inception to February 23, 2023: EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and CENTRAL. Databases were searched for articles pertaining to collar use post cervical spine fracture. OUTCOME MEASURES Effectiveness of the cervical fracture immobilization protocols was the primary outcome, examined by various measures including union rates and disability indexes. METHODS 4 databases were searched; EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) beginning on February 23, 2023, where 5,127 studies were yielded and 32 were extracted based on studies of adults (≥18 years) with a diagnosis of a cervical fracture (C0-C7) managed with a rigid external orthosis to prevent instability and surgery (collar, or cervicothoracic orthosis). Risk of bias was assessed using the guidelines set out by the Joanna Briggs Institute. RESULTS This scoping review yielded low-level prospective (18%) and retrospective (69%) cohort studies, case-control studies (3%), and case series (6%) from 1987 to 2022, patient age ranged from 14 to 104 years. Findings were difficult to summarize based on the lack of randomized controlled trials, leading to no clear conclusions drawn on the presence of standardized cervical immobilization protocols with no information on the duration of treatment or transition in care. Most included articles were retrospective cohort studies of poor to moderate quality, which have significant risk of bias for intervention questions. The effectiveness of these protocols remains unclear as most studies evaluated heterogeneous outcomes and did not present between-group differences. Mortality, musculoskeletal (MSK) complications, and delayed surgery were common adverse events associated with cervical collar use. CONCLUSION This scoping review highlights the need for higher levels of evidence as there is currently no standardized immobilization protocol for cervical spine fractures as a primary treatment, the effectiveness of cervical immobilization protocols is unclear, and mortality, MSK complications, and delayed surgery are common adverse events. No sources of funding were used for this scoping review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhilesh Bhushan
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexa Beland
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Chantelle Poelstra
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Marina Angel
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Tiffany Cheung
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Emma Plater
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Daipayan Guha
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Markian Pahuta
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Luciana G Macedo
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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Gomez GI, Li GQ, Valido AA, Stoner AJ, Bromley-Dulfano RA, Sheira D, Gonzalez CA, Khan SI, Choi J, Zygourakis CC, Weiser TG. Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Injury: Evidence-Based Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes. Am Surg 2024; 90:902-910. [PMID: 37983195 DOI: 10.1177/00031348231216479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic thoracolumbar spine injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Targeted for non-spine specialist trauma surgeons, this systematic scoping review aimed to examine literature for up-to-date evidence on presentation, management, and outcomes of thoracolumbar spine injuries in adult trauma patients. METHODS This review was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. We searched four bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies included experimental, observational, and evidence-synthesis articles evaluating patients with thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spine injury, published in English between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2021. Studies which focused on animals, cadavers, cohorts with N <30, and pediatric cohorts (age <18 years old), as well as case studies, abstracts, and commentaries were excluded. RESULTS A total of 2501 studies were screened, of which 326 unique studies were fully text reviewed and twelve aspects of injury management were identified and discussed: injury patterns, determination of injury status and imaging options, considerations in management, and patient quality of life. We found: (1) imaging is a necessary diagnostic tool, (2) no consensus exists for preferred injury characterization scoring systems, (3) operative management should be considered for unstable fractures, decompression, and deformity, and (4) certain patients experience significant burden following injury. DISCUSSION In this systematic scoping review, we present the most up-to-date information regarding the management of traumatic thoracolumbar spine injuries. This allows non-specialist trauma surgeons to become more familiar with thoracolumbar spine injuries in trauma patients and provides a framework for their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle I Gomez
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Guan Q Li
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Austin A Valido
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Rebecca A Bromley-Dulfano
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dina Sheira
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Cayo A Gonzalez
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Suleman I Khan
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jeff Choi
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Thomas G Weiser
- Surgeons Writing About Trauma, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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