The impact of helicopter emergency medical services and craniocervical traction on the early reduction of cervical spine dislocation in a rural area of Japan

Abstract

Background Several clinical and basic studies have shown that an association exists between achieving decompression of the spinal cord within a few hours and neurological recovery, even in patients with complete paralysis due to cervical spine dislocation. This study aimed to clarify the impact of helicopter emergency medical services(HEMS)and craniocervical traction using a halo ring on rapid reduction of lower cervical spine dislocation in rural Japan. Methods The success rate of and factors inhibiting closed reduction, time from injury to reduction and functional prognosis of lower cervical spine dislocations treated between July 2012 and January 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Results Fourteen patients were transported by HEMS (group H), seven were by ambulances (group A) and two were by themselves. Although the average travelled distance and injury severity score were significantly higher in group H (64.5 km, 28.0) than in group A (24.7 km, 18.6), there was no significant difference in the average time to admission or the time to start craniocervical traction after admission between group H (159.4 min, 52.2 min) and group A (163.6 min, 53.2 min). The urgent traction could be administered for 20 patients. The success rate of closed reduction was 95%, and neurological deterioration following traction was not observed in any cases. The average traction time and weight for reduction were 30.3 min and 16.3 kg, respectively. Patients’ body size and fracture-dislocation types did not significantly affect the traction time or weight. The rate of reduction within 4 h after injury was higher in group H (79%) than in group A (33%). Herniated discs were found at dislocation levels in five patients by magnetic resonance imaging scans performed after closed reduction, and all cases of inner fixation were treated via the posterior approach an average of 5.7 days after admission. After these treatment, three of nine AIS A patients recovered the ability to walk, and all the three patients underwent successful closed reduction within 4 h after injury. Conclusion HEMS and highly successful closed reduction considerably contributed to the early reduction of cervical spine dislocation and can potentially improve complete paralysis.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ibuprofen plus Traction, Reposition, and Hip Spica Cast in the Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

“…Traction + reposition + hip spica cast is a common clinical treatment for DDH. Traction is simple, effective, and time-efficient [21], repositioning aids in the hip repair and restoration [22], and hip spica cast contributes to the recovery of the child's organism and shortens the hospital stay with lower costs [23,24]. e related pathological changes of hip dislocation are mentioned in the literature of traditional Chinese medicine, and DDH is called "hipbone displacement."…”

Effectiveness of different surgical methods in the treatment of acute central cord syndrome without fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine

“…top of the conservative treatment, study group A underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was adopted for those with cervical disc herniation, cervical disc rupture, rupture of the anterior longitudinal ligament, ossification of the discontinuous posterior longitudinal ligament and hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum), and study group B was treated with posterior cervical laminectomy (posterior cervical laminectomy was adopted for those with continuous posterior longitudinal ligament ossification and cervical stenosis with hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum)[10][11][12]. Appropriate medications such as hemostatic and dehydrating agents were given to the patients according to their actual condition.…”