• D L Schriger, B Larmon, T LeGassick, and T Blinman.
• UCLA Emergency Medicine Center 90024.
• Ann Emerg Med. 1991 Aug 1;20(8):878-81.

Study ObjectivesTo determine the amount of occipital padding required to achieve neutral position of the cervical spine when a patient is immobilized on a flat backboard. Neutral position was defined as the normal anatomic position of the head and torso that one assumes when standing looking straight ahead.DesignDescriptive with hypothesis testing of selected descriptive elements.SettingUniversity campus and hospital.SubjectsOne hundred healthy young adults with no history of back disease.InterventionsVolunteers were measured in standing and supine positions.MeasurementsOccipital offset; height; weight; and head, neck, and chest circumferences were measured for each subject.Main ResultsThe amount of occipital offset required to achieve neutral position varied from 0 to 3.75 in. (mean, 1.5 in.). Mean occipital offset for men (1.67 in.) was significantly greater than that for women (1.31 in.) Easily obtained body measurements did not accurately predict occipital offset.ConclusionImmobilization on a flat backboard would place 98% of our study subjects in relative cervical extension. Occipital padding would place a greater percentage of patients in neutral position and increase patient comfort during transport.

22 keywords...

hide…