ABSTRACT
Introduction: The most common causes of damage to the cervical spine are falls from height, traffic accidents and accidents in sport activities. These are the activities most often attended by young people and therefore damage to the cervical spine is also a major public health problem. Injured with damage to the cervical spine should be appropriately immobilized, to prevent further injuries as well as the negative effects of immobilization. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to present indications and contraindications for the immobilization of the cervical spine and special features in the immobilization on the basis of a review of domestic and foreign literature. Methods: We used a descriptive metod of work with an overview of domestic and foreign professional and scientific literature. Results: The pathological movement of the damaged cervical spine can cause or worsen the damage of the spinal cord or spinal nerves. The fear of the consequences of secondary injuries led to the golden standard oft he cervical spine immobilization for each injured person, with the slightest suspicion of damage tot he cervical spine, although the damage of cervical spine is very rare. Recently, several studies have been done that are not favorable to systematic immobilization, but support a selective approach to immobilization of the cervical spine. Researches show that immobilization can have a negative impact on the patients health and can be harmful. The most common complications that occur in the immobilization oft he cervical spine are discomfort, ulcers, prolonged treatment time, ineffective respiratory care, the possibility of concealing the clinical signs of patients bad condition and also affects the increased intracranial pressure due to pressure jugular veins, which prevents the normal drainage of blood from the brain. Immobilization of the cervical spine is also associated with penetrant injuries with higher mortality compared to those who have not been immobilized. Discussion and conclusion: In Slovenia, in the field of prehospital emergency medicine, there is certainly no research that would confirm with certainty the adequacy or inadequacy of the cervical spine immobilizatio with collar and spine board , but nevertheless in the spirit of the most recent guidelines, a more selective approach to the immobilization of the cervical spine should be used. We also need guidelines for determining the criteria for, immobilization of the cervical spine, devices for immobilization and who can professionally stabilize the cervical spine.
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