body jacket cast and splitting

[GingerSue]

this is just after reading about casts:

if someone has a body jacket cast, then

experiences cast syndrome, then the cast

might need to be removed or split.

If it is split, where is it split?

[xNursePinkx2b]

Right down the middle!

LOL just kidding, I don't know Good question

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Most likely, where ever the doctor learned during his training to split it. I don't think it makes a difference as long as it gets taken off. To split, or bivalve it, the cuts need to be made where the swelling is occurring so the compression created by the cast is relieved.

[GingerSue]

Right down the middle!

LOL just kidding, I don't know Good question

thanks - you made me laugh today (which I needed)

I mean, really, is it split at the sides, in the front - like, where is it split?

They just don't provide enough information for me in this book!

[GingerSue]

Most likely, where ever the doctor learned during his training to split it. I don't think it makes a difference as long as it gets taken off. To split, or bivalve it, the cuts need to be made where the swelling is occurring so the compression created by the cast is relieved.

thanks

so the split would be partial or complete? at the site of swelling

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

It would depend on what part of the upper body needed relief from the compression created by the cast. If the whole upper torso needed relief, I suppose the cast could be totally split in half (just like a cast on an arm or leg) and the two halves held together with ACE wrap (just list a bivalved cast on an arm or leg). That seems to make the most sense to me. Eventually, these bivalves and split casts get reapplied when the swelling resolves.