Parent Satisfaction Comparing Two Bandage Materials Used During Serial Casting in Infants

Abstract

Plaster of Paris was compared with semirigid fiberglass casting material during serial casting in 17 infants with clubfoot or rigid metatarsus adductus. Semirigid fiberglass was statistically superior in its durability, convenience, performance, and ease of removal. The average amount of time for home cast removal by the parents was 55 minutes for plaster of Paris and 21 minutes for semirigid fiberglass. Complications such as skin abrasions and cast slip-off were similar for both casting materials. Ninety-four percent of parents strongly preferred semirigid fiberglass rather than plaster of Paris for their child's serial casting.

Treatment of Clubfoot With Ponseti Method Using Semirigid Synthetic Softcast

“…A semirigid fiberglass material has been marketed as having additional advantages over classic rigid fiberglass materials, such as molding ability, flexibility, comfort, and ease of removal and unwrapping. 8 Semirigid fiberglass cast materials can be removed easily with unwinding alone in a few minutes. 10 On the other hand, the major disadvantage of fiberglass material is its high cost.…”

“… 7 On the other hand, there are limited numbers of reports regarding the use of fiberglass cast materials in the treatment of clubfoot with the Ponseti technique. 8 – 11 …”

Evaluation of cast creep occurring during simulated clubfoot correction

“…Feet treated with SRF casts had statistically significant lower Dimeglio-Bensahel scores at the completion of nonoperative manipulation; however, patient satisfaction in terms of convenience, cast weight, and cast durability was higher for this material. In a study comparing parent satisfaction with POP and SRF used during serial casting, Coss et al 15 found that parents preferred the SRF based on its ease of removal, durability, and performance. 15 In their study though, the authors did not correlate each cast material in regard to their efficacy.…”

“…In a study comparing parent satisfaction with POP and SRF used during serial casting, Coss et al 15 found that parents preferred the SRF based on its ease of removal, durability, and performance. 15 In their study though, the authors did not correlate each cast material in regard to their efficacy. Similarly, Brewster et al, 8 using SRF, and Ng et al, 28 using fiberglass material, published their favorable clinical results.…”

“…13 Alternative cast materials used in conjunction with the Ponseti method have been considered. 8, 13-15 Coss and Hennrikus 15 found that parents preferred semi-rigid fiberglass (SRF) over POP due to its ease of removal, durability, and performance.…”