A comparison of pulmonary complications in spinal cord-injured patients treated with two modes of spinal immobilization

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of two modes of spinal immobilization, the kinetic treatment table (KTT) and the traditionally used wedge turning device (WTD) on the development of pulmonary complications in two groups of acutely spinal cord-injured (SCI) clients. Variables examined included incidence of pulmonary infection, length of requirement of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and length of hospitalization. Results indicated that those clients treated with the KTT experienced a lower incidence of pulmonary infection (p less than 0.05) and required less time on mechanical ventilation (p less than 0.05) than those subjects in the WTD group. Length of ICU stay and length of hospitalization were not significantly influenced by the mode of spinal immobilization.