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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg (2012) 38:439442 DOI 10.1007/s00068-012-0180-3
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Pelvic circumferential compression devices (PCCDs): a best evidence equipment review
D. J. Bryson R. Davidson R. Mackenzie
Received: 12 September 2011 / Accepted: 5 February 2012 / Published online: 2 March 2012 Springer-Verlag 2012
AbstractPurpose Traumatic disruption of the pelvis can lead to signicant morbidity and mortality. ATLS guidance advocates temporary stabilisation or closure of the disrupted pelvis with a compression device or sheet. We undertook a best evidence equipment review to assess the ease and efcacy of the application of two leading commercially available devices, the T-POD and the SAM Pelvic SlingTM II.
Methods Fifty health care professionals and medical students participated in pelvic circumferential compression device (PCCD) education and assessment. Participants received a 10-min lecture on the epidemiology and aetiology of pelvic fractures and the principles of circumferential compression, followed by a practical demonstration. Three volunteers acted as trauma victims. Assessment included the time taken to secure the devices and whether
this was achieved correctly. All participants completed a post-assessment survey.
Results Both devices were applied correctly 100% of the time. The average time taken to secure the SAM Pelvic SlingTM II was 18 s and for the T-POD, it was 31 s (p B 0.0001). Forty-four participants (88%) agreed or strongly agreed that the SAM Pelvic SlingTM II was easy to
use compared to 84% (n = 42) for the T-POD. Thirty-nine participants (78%) reported that they preferred and, given the choice in the future, would select the T-POD over the SAM Pelvic SlingTM II (n = 11, 22%).
Conclusions The results of this study indicate that both PCCDs are easy and acceptable to use and, once learned, can be applied easily and rapidly. Participants applied both devices correctly 100% of the time, with successful application taking, on average, less than 60 s.
Keywords Pelvic trauma Fracture ATLS
Circumferential compression Pelvic binders
Introduction
Traumatic disruption of the pelvis can precipitate life-threatening haemorrhage [1] and may be associated with mortality rates exceeding 40% [13]. The American College of Surgeons Advanced Trauma Life Support Course (ATLS) advocates temporary stabilisation or closure of the disrupted pelvis with a compression device to decrease bleeding [4]. Circumferential compression of the pelvis reduces pelvic volume, tamponades...