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PT Technical note: A pilot study mapping the interface pressure of thoraco-pelvic support devices used for spinal surgery in the prone position.
This study investigates the interface pressure of four commonly used thoraco-pelvic support devices (Fig. 1): foam cushion, inflatable supports (IPS), Wilson frame and Steffee blocks. Each device was evaluated in three healthy subjects after positioning them awake on the device. A pressure mapping system was used to measure the interface pressure. Peak pressure (Fig. 1) and mean pressure values (Fig. 3) were analyzed, and a pressure mapping image (Fig. 4) was created for each device
The peak and mean interface pressure were 40% and 50% lower for both the foam cushions and inflatable support device, respectively, compared to the Wilson frame and Steffee blocks (p < 0.005). In addition, pressure mapping images showed more equal pressure redistribution in the foam cushions and inflatable support device.
Figure 1-2-3: The four positioning devices with peak and mean pressure
Figure 4: When considering a threshold of 150 mmHg the inflatable supports showed no compression area’s but the Wilson frame and Steffee showed significant areas at risk.
