Air Medical Transport of Patients with Spinal Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Existing Evidence and Future Research Directions - Summary - MDSpire

Air Medical Transport of Patients with Spinal Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Existing Evidence and Future Research Directions

  • By

  • Ashviniy Thamilmaran

  • Zak Hodgson

  • Konstantinos Peramatzis

  • Maria Karampouga

  • Mark Jarratt

  • Eleni Tsianaka

  • Insa K. Janssen

  • Anastasia Tasiou

  • Nese Keser

  • Mary Murphy

  • April 2, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To consolidate evidence on fixed-wing transport for patients with acute spinal pathology and provide recommendations for best practices in monitoring and management.

Key Findings:
  • 12 papers reviewed, primarily from military contexts, involving 105 cases of spinal injury, highlighting the need for tailored transport strategies.
  • Fixed-wing transport differs from rotor-wing in acceleration, atmospheric pressure, vibration, transport duration, temperature, and humidity, each impacting patient outcomes.
  • Fixed-wing aircraft provide smoother transport, reducing ICP fluctuations and improving medical team accessibility, which is crucial for patient safety.
Interpretation:

Fixed-wing transport presents unique physiological challenges for spinal patients, such as altered gas exchange and increased ICP, necessitating careful monitoring and management during aeromedical transfers.

Limitations:
  • Limited civilian literature on fixed-wing transport for spinal disorders raises concerns about the generalizability of findings.
  • Most included studies were descriptive case reports with low evidence levels, indicating a need for higher-quality research.
Conclusion:

Understanding the distinct impacts of fixed-wing transport is essential for optimizing care in patients with spinal disorders during air medical transport, and future research should focus on addressing identified gaps.

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