Comparative study of risk factors for skin breakdown with cervical orthotic devices: Philadelphia and Aspen.
OBJECTIVE
To compare risk factors for skin breakdown between Philadelphia and Aspen cervical collars.


METHODS
Crossover design. Twenty healthy volunteers wore Philadelphia and Aspen cervical collars in random order. Occipital pressure, relative skin humidity, and skin temperature measured at 0 and 30 minutes. Paired t-tests compared changes between collars from 0 to 30 minutes.


RESULTS
Occipital pressure and skin temperature were not statistically different between collars. Relative skin humidity increased more in Philadelphia (29% +/- 17%) than Aspen (8% +/- 9%), p < 0.001.


CONCLUSIONS
Aspen resulted in lower relative skin humidity.
Black
C A
CA
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Trauma Program, Toledo, OH, USA.
Buderer
N M
NM
Blaylock
B
B
Hogan
B J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012881:Skin Temperature