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C. Scott Norris, MD; Wayne E. Silva, MD; Thomas F. Dodson, MD; Jeffrey Darrow, MD

Arch Surg. 1986;121(4):452-455.

Abstract
• We evaluated the clinical usefulness of a new shoulder traction device to facilitate a rapid complete cervical spine examination in an uncooperative patient population with multiple trauma. Forty-eight patients were randomly designated to receive the shoulder traction device or the standard technique (manual traction on the patient's upper extremities). Patient groups were equivalent in mean coma scale scores, trauma scores, age, and incidence of cervical fracture. Male-female ratios differed between groups, yet were biased against the harness technique. Fewer roentgenograms (lateral view) were required to visualize adequately all cervical vertebrae when the harness device was utilized (mean roentgenograms per patient, 1.2 vs 2.6; P<.01). Shoulder harness traction during roentgenographic evaluation of the cervical spine may be a useful method to promote visibility of the lower cervical vertebrae.

(Arch Surg 1986;121:452-455)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Surgery, Trauma Services, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Jan 3, 1986.

Read before the 66th Annual Meeting of the New England Surgical Society, Dixville Notch, NH, Oct 12, 1985.

Reprint requests to Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01605 (Dr Silva).

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