Objective:

Initial care of neck trauma in emergency services is very important because of its seriousl results. Appropriate neck collar usage in these patients is necessary as in all trauma patients. We designed this study to determine the appropriate collar dimensions for our patients.

Materials and Methods:

Our study was performed in Suleyman Demirel University Hospital by including four hundred and seventy-two (two hundred and seventy-six male, one hundred and ninety-six female) adult volunteers who had no visible neck deformity. In the neutral position, menthum-gonion, gonion-tragus, mentum-tragus, menthum-insicura jugularis and neck circumference distances were measured with a tape measure. These measurements were compared with the values obtained from the same anatomical contact points of currently used cervical collars.

Results:

In our study mean menthum-gonion distance was 9.2 cm in our measurements of volunteers, 9 cm in the collar we currently use. Mean tragus-gonion distance was 3.1 cm and in the current collar 6 cm. Mean menthum-tragus distance was 12.5 cm and, in the currently used collar it was 15 cm. Cervical 7-occiput distance was 16 cm in the current collar, and 10.8 cm mean in our measurement. Menthum-insicura jugularis distance was measured 11.5 cm, 15 cm in the current collar. Gonion-midclavicula distance was 13.03 cm, 13.00 cm in the current collar. Neck circumference was 37 cm, 57 cm in the current collar.

Conclusion:

Collar dimensions may vary among people and this data should be considered during the production stage.

Keywords: Neck trauma, neck collar, emergency service