Monash study finds spinal vest wanting

The halothoracic vest's benefits are not clear,

study shows. Image: Susan Liew

by Anne Crawford

A Monash University clinician-researcher has questioned the benefits of a commonly used orthosis for cervical spine injury.

Adjunct Associate Professor Susan Liew, Director of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Alfred and part of the Monash Central Clinical School, conducted a study on the halothoracic vest, an alternative to spinal surgery. “The halothoracic vest is like scaffolding – you put four pins in the skull which supports a ring around the head (the halo) and a chest piece between four struts around the neck. It’s pretty invasive for a ‘non-invasive treatment’,” Adjunct Associate Professor Liew said.

The treatment has been linked to high rates or risk of complications, including the loosening of the pins, pressure injury, pneumonia and respiratory failure. 

How female surgeons are cutting through prejudice and rising to the top in medicine

Herald Sun #IWD2022 special feature on three Monash-Alfred
female surgeon researchers. L-R: Silvana Marasco, Susan Liew 
and Wendy Brown. Image from feature: David Caird

Brigid O'Connell, a writer for the Herald Sun, has written a feature on Central Clinical School's female surgeon-researchers whose clinical practice is based at the Alfred, Professors Wendy Brown and Silvana Marasco and Associate Professor Susan Liew as part of the Herald Sun's special weekend edition for International Women's Day 2022. Brigid writes:

"In an Australian-first, the three top surgical jobs at a major hospital are all held by women.