Determining Optimal Halo Pin Management Practises to Decrease Pin Complications

NCT ID: NCT00480727

Last Updated: 2013-02-12

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

44 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2007-04-30

Study Completion Date

2009-07-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of regular pin re-tensioning on pain, pin loosening and pin replacement.

Detailed Description

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Halo Thoracic Orthoses (Halos) are used to immobilise unstable cervical fractures. The halo grips the skull via 4 pins. Pin loosening is a major complication of halo wear. Pin loosening is painful and can result in loss of control of the fractures. Treatment is required urgently and involves re-siting the pin.

Comparisons: This study will compare two pin management practises with the aim to determine which is optimal to reduce the incidence of complications including pin loosening. Patients will be randomly allocated into 2 groups. The control group will receive treatment in accordance with current practise at The Alfred, the pins will not be re-tensioned throughout the treatment period. The alternative treatment group will have their pins re-tensioned fortnightly.

Conditions

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Unstable Cervical Injury

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Control

No fortnightly re-tensioning. Placebo treatment utilises the re-tensioning procedure, pt experiences clicking sensation, however, the pin is not tightened.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo Re-tensioning

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Pts undergo re-tensioning procedure with torque driver set at zero to elicit the same clicking sensation with no tightening of the pin.

Treatment (Re-tensioning) Group

Pins are re-tensioned fortnightly back to initial fitting tension of 8lb/inch.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Halo pin re-tensioning

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Re-tensiong every 2 weeks with torque driver. Pins are re-tensioned to 8lb/inch

Interventions

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Halo pin re-tensioning

Re-tensiong every 2 weeks with torque driver. Pins are re-tensioned to 8lb/inch

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Placebo Re-tensioning

Pts undergo re-tensioning procedure with torque driver set at zero to elicit the same clicking sensation with no tightening of the pin.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Must be fitted with a Halo Thoracic Orthosis at The Alfred Hospital

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients who can not have their halo pins tensioned to at least 8lb/inch pressure.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Bayside Health

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Karly N Wheeler, Bach Prosthetics & Orthotics

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Alfred Hospital, Bayside Health

Locations

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The Alfred Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Site Status

Countries

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Australia

References

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Kuester WM, Stamper RE, Ordway NR. Analysis of pin force distributions of halo orthoses. Biomed Sci Instrum. 2002;38:221-6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12085606 (View on PubMed)

Garfin SR, Botte MJ, Waters RL, Nickel VL. Complications in the use of the halo fixation device. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1986 Mar;68(3):320-5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 3949826 (View on PubMed)

Vertullo CJ, Duke PF, Askin GN. Pin-site complications of the halo thoracic brace with routine pin re-tightening. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997 Nov 1;22(21):2514-6. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199711010-00010.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9383858 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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A10704

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

135/07

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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