882.5960—Skull tongs for traction.
(a) Identification.
Skull tongs for traction is an instrument used to immobilize a patient with a cervical spine injury (e.g., fracture or dislocation). The device is caliper shaped with tips that penetrate the skin. It is anchored to the skull and has a heavy weight attached to it that maintains, by traction, the patient's position.
(b) Classification.
Class II (performance standards).