Differences in lung function after the use of 2 extrication systems: a randomized crossover trial.

Area of Science:

• Emergency medicine
• Respiratory physiology
• Medical device evaluation

Background:

• Spinal immobilization devices are crucial in pre-hospital trauma care.
• Understanding the physiological impact of these devices is essential for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the lung function effects of the Kendrick Extrication Device (KED) and the Ferno KED-XT board in healthy volunteers.
• To assess the impact of these spinal extrication devices on key respiratory parameters.

Main Methods:

• A randomized crossover trial was conducted with 50 healthy adult volunteers.
• Spirometry was performed at baseline and after a 5-minute application of each device (KED and KED-XT).
• Primary outcome measures included changes in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

Main Results:

• Both devices significantly decreased FVC and FEV1 from baseline.
• The KED device resulted in a statistically significant greater decrease in FVC compared to the KED-XT board (-0.79 L vs -0.48 L).
• FEV1 also showed significant reductions with both devices, with a larger decrease observed with the KED.

Conclusions:

• Spinal vest use, including the KED and KED-XT, negatively impacts lung function.
• The KED may cause a more pronounced reduction in FVC than the KED-XT, potentially due to differences in abdominal compression from strap design.
• Further research may explore optimal device application to minimize respiratory compromise.