RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Mechanical assessment of proprietary and improvised pelvic binders for use in the prehospital environment
JF BMJ Military Health
JO BMJ Mil Health
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 116
OP 119
DO 10.1136/military-2023-002398
VO 171
IS 2
A1 Howe, Thomas John
A1 Claireaux, H
A1 Fox, H
A1 Morgan, G
A1 McMenemy, L
A1 Masouros, S D
A1 Ramasamy, A
YR 2025
UL http://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/171/2/116.abstract
AB Introduction Pelvic fractures often result from high-energy trauma and are associated with a 10% mortality rate and significant morbidity. Pelvic binders are applied in suspected pelvic injury to stabilise fractured bone, decrease bleeding and potentiate tamponade. A binder must hold the pelvis with sufficient force for this effect to be achieved. This study aims to quantify the ability of proprietary and improvised pelvic binders to hold a target tensile force over time.Methods The ability of three proprietary and three improvised binders to hold a binding force for 2 hours was tested. A uniaxial materials testing machine was used to tension each binder to 150 N and then hold the displacement for 2 hours; the drop in tension over time was recorded for each binder. The ability to hold tension above 130 N after 2 hours was set as the metric of binder performance.Results The median tension at 2 hours was above 130 N for the SAM Pelvic Sling II and T-POD Pelvic Stabilisation Device and was below 130 N for the Prometheus Pelvic Splint, field-expedient pelvic splint (FES) and the Personal Clothing System-Multi-Terrain Pattern Combat Trousers binders. The tension in the improvised FES after 2 hours was approximately at the target 130 N; however, in 40% of the tests, it held above 130 N.Conclusions Binders varied in their ability to maintain sufficient tension to treat a pelvic fracture over the 2-hour testing period. The FES performed well under our testing regime; with relatively low cost and weight, it represents a good alternative to proprietary binders for the austere environment.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.