Innovative cervical splint: overcoming an obstacle

Introduction

Partial and full-thickness burns in neck region are reported in 35% of total burn patients^[1]. Neck burns are associated with inhalational injuries and airway edema; and it is necessary to secure the airway early in these cases either by endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy. The majority of these patients present with airway edema, tracheostomy is preferred over endotracheal intubation in view of difficult airway.

Serghiou et al.^[2] has quoted that “The position of comfort is the position of deformity”. Hence physical rehabilitation of patients who have sustained burn injury is an important part of management and requires multimodality treatment which involves splinting of affected part. In patients of neck burns, neck needs to be maintained in 15 degree extension^[2]. Tracheostomy tube acts as an obstacle for applying neck splint^[3]. We present a simple modification of hard cervical collar to be used in tracheostomized patients.

Method and materials

We present a case of a 23-year-old female presented to casualty with history of accidental flame thermal burn involving face, neck, chest and upper limbs constituting 25% of total body surface area with inhalational injury. Patient had stridor suggesting airway compromise, on attempted endotracheal intubation, severe upper airway edema was noted with non visualization of vocal chords so the patient was tracheostomized and was resuscitated as per Parkland formula. Hard cervical collar commonly applied to immobilize neck couldn’t be fitted with tracheostomy tube in situ. To overcome this problem modification of hard cervical collar was designed [Figure 1].

Figure 1. The modified neck splint

We used medium size hard cervical collar (cost: INR300; USD5; Dynamic Techno Medicals Pvt. Ltd.) made up of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) [Figure 2]. The lower part of cervical collar was cut with stout scissors in a shape of inverted “U” in its central part. While cutting the collar all the sharp projections were removed to make margins rounded. A clean piece of foam was cut into the half doughnut shape and fixed on the margins with the help of micropore tape [Figure 3]. After this modification collar was fit into the neck, providing pressure and positioning to the neck and simultaneously allowing rotational mobility for physiotherapy. Base of modified collar was stable from lateral sides [Figure 4]. Design map for modified neck splint is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 2. Materials required

Figure 3. Preparing the modified neck splint

Figure 4. Patient wearing modified neck collar

Figure 5. Design map for modified neck splint. A: Hard cervical collar; B: preparing the modified neck splint; C: modified neck splint

Modified cervical splint served the purpose of providing immobilization and alleviating pain during acute phase. Patient was well compliant to continuous application of modified cervical splint. Nursing caregivers were able to provide tracheostomy care easily with the modified cervical splint in situ. During recovery phase wounds were managed with regular hydrojet debridement, low level laser therapy, autologous platelet rich plasma therapy, insulin therapy and regulated oxygenation and negative pressure wound therapy. Once the wound bed became healthy autologous split skin graft was applied [Figure 6]. Patient responded well to the treatment and neck wounds are healing well. Graft take is adequate and there is no restriction in range of motion of neck [Figure 7]. Once the edema settled, planned weaning from the tracheostomy and decanulation has been done during recovery phase. Modified neck splint was applied after tracheostomy removal also. At present the patient is following same neck splint and having no complaint of discomfort.

Figure 6. Burn wounds of the patient during treatment course; poly vinyl chloride tracheostomy tube is replaced with metallic tube

Figure 7. Small remaining wounds; tracheostomy tube is removed

Discussion

Cronin was the first to report that post-burn contractures could be prevented with the application of a splint for prolonged pressure^[4]. Commonly used splinting devises for neck are: (1) customized (patient specific; fabricated with fiberglas or thermoplastic material); and (2) prefabricated (with PVC or silicone or aliplast).

Traditionally, splinting with conforming thermoplastic collars have been utilized for anterior neck burns. However, the cost of thermoplastic material is high. Patient compliance with prefabricated neck collars is good. Prefabricated neck collars are easier to apply, readily available and cost effective. Prefabricated cervical splint can be hard or soft neck collars. Hard collar is made up of PVC while softer materials are aliplast or silicone lined elastic wraps. Prefabricated neck collars are available in different sizes (small, medium or large). Hard cervical collars are better for burn patients as compared to soft cervical collar because of ease of application over bulky dressing and ease of cleaning the collar stained with soakage from the wounds^[5-8].

In some burn patients it is necessary to secure the airway early (at the time of presentation). Indications of early tracheal intubation mainly include^[9]: (1) overt signs and symptoms of airway obstruction; (2) extensive burns to the head and neck; (3) inability to protect airway from aspiration; (4) significant toxicity from carbon monoxide or cyanide; (5) respiratory failure; (6) extensive burns (> 40% of total body surface area); and (7) hemodynamic instability. In selected patients tracheostomy is preferred over translaryngeal route for tracheal intubation. Indications of tracheostomy in burn patients mainly include^[9]: (1) need for prolonged mechanical ventilation; (2) burns that will require multiple anesthesia for surgical procedures; and (3) extensive laryngeal oedema making translaryngeal intubation difficult. Tracheostomy tube should be removed once the need for prolonged or repeated intubation is over.

Putting cervical splint in patients with tracheostomy is difficult and often deferred. This has a negative effect on outcome and increases the need for neck reconstruction in future^[3]. Modified prefabricated neck collars are designed for tracheostomized patients but they are costlier and not readily available in market. Philadelphia collar is having socket for tracheostomy but it is designed for cervical trauma and not for burns patients. Philadelphia collar does not give freedom of lateral rotational movement of neck.

Our modification of hard cervical collar is very simple and easy to adapt at any burn care centre. It is low cost, light weight, well supported, provides appropriate position and pressure, allows for physiotherapy and comfortable. We observed good compliance and pain relief in the patient to which modified neck splint was applied. It was possible to provide routine tracheostomy care comfortably with the patient wearing the modified neck splint. We look forward to use this modified neck splint in other neck burn patients with tracheostomy from the first day.

Conclusion

Cervical splinting in neck burn patients with tracheostomy is necessary but difficult. The innovative modification of hard cervical collar proposed in our case report can be a solution to overcome this difficulty.