Evaluation of commercially available traction splints for battlefield use

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic trauma management
• Military medicine
• Medical device evaluation

Background:

• Femoral fractures are common battlefield injuries requiring effective treatment.
• Traction splinting reduces morbidity and mortality in femur fractures.
• Lack of standardization exists for traction splint equipment and training in the U.S. military.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare four commercially available traction splints used by the U.S. Government.
• To identify differences in application time, user confidence, and preference among traction devices.

Main Methods:

• Subjects received standardized instruction on four traction splints: CT-6, Kendrick Traction Device (KTD), REEL Splint (RS), and Slishman Traction Splint (STS).
• Application times were recorded, and participant confidence/preferences were assessed via Likert-scaled surveys.
• Free response feedback was collected before and after timed application.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in application times were observed across the four devices (ANOVA, p<.01).
• The STS showed significantly faster application times compared to the CT-6 (p<.0028) and RS (p<.0001).
• Participants rated the STS highest in subjective evaluations and reported greater confidence in its efficacy for femoral fracture treatment (p<.00229).

Conclusions:

• The Slishman Traction Splint (STS) exhibited optimal objective performance and highest subjective user ratings.
• The STS is deemed the most suitable traction splint for battlefield use, considering its performance and versatility in complex trauma scenarios.