Mohamed-Zain NA, Jamil K, Penafort R, Singh A, Ibrahim S, Abdul-Rashid AH. Anxiety Reaction in Children During Cast Removal using Oscillating Saw versus
Cast Shear - A Randomised, Prospective Trial.
Malays Orthop J 2021;
15:122-128. [PMID:
34429832 PMCID:
PMC8381665 DOI:
10.5704/moj.2107.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction:
To compare the anxiety levels demonstrated by children during cast removal procedure between oscillating saw vs cast shear methods.
Material and methods:
A randomised prospective study of 102 children (mean age 8.3 ± 3.5 years) with fractures involving upper or lower limbs. Children undergoing removal of cast were divided into 2 groups; either by an oscillating saw or a cast cutting shear. The level of anxiety was assessed by recording the heart rate with a portable fingertip pulse oximeter before, during and after removal of the cast. Objective assessment was performed by documenting the fear level on Children’s Fear Scale (CFS).
Results:
There was a significant increase in the heart rate of children during cast removal while using the oscillating saw compared to cast shear (p<0.05). The noise level produced by the saw exceeded 80 dB (mean 103.3 dB). The fear level was significantly lower in the cast shear group (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
The noise produced by the oscillating saw was associated with an increased anxiety level in children undergoing cast removal. Cast shear is a simple and inexpensive instrument that can be used for cast removal in overly anxious children.
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