A cadaveric study to assess the functionality of a novel pelvic-lower limb immobilisation device

Background and aims: Pelvic injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality because of uncontrolled bleeding. The present study was a humble attempt to produce a novel cost-effective and user-friendly pelvic-cum-lower limb immobilisation device. Design: The device termed as an Immobilizer was employed to assess its functionality in a cadaveric model. Methods: Six fresh non-embalmed and properly stored human cadavers were obtained. A simulated open-book pelvic injury (Burgess and Young APC II, or Tile B1) was created on the cadavers through an antero-lateral abdominal approach, resulting in the diastases of the symphysis pubis and the right sacroiliac joint. The diastases were closed using linen sheet (standard practice in Malaysian pre-hospital care) and the immobilizer in an alternate fashion. Radiographic image was taken and measured to compare the reduction in the diastases for both methods. Results: A total of six cadavers were available for this trial. However, only four cadavers met the criteria. The four accepted cadavers included three male and one female cadavers. Using the immobilizer, the gaps in all four cadavers were reduced and maintained to less than 10 mm (intended gap reduction), while for linen sheet, only two out of four of the cases the intended gap reductions were achieved. Conclusion: The new immobilizer was found to be functional in providing a good circumferential closure of an open book pelvic injury and able to maintain it.