Orthopaedic patients and plaster casts, what evidence? A scoping review

Background: The plaster cast is a useful tool commonly used in orthopedic and emergency departments. Its application allowing fractures to heal. Proper application of the plaster cast is crucial for ensuring fracture healing and preventing potential complications. Aim: To map the available literature on the use of plaster casts in orthopedics and traumatology, focusing on application techniques and strategies used by nurses. Methodology: Scoping review. The research question was “what evidence is available on the use of plaster casts in orthopaedic and traumatology?”. The eligibility criteria were: Participants. This review included literature regarding orthopedic and traumatological patients needing plaster treatment. Concept. The review included literature on the application of plaster casts, application techniques, materials, outcomes and nurses strategies. Context. Orthopaedics and traumatology, orthopedic emergency room and orthopedic/traumatologic clinics. Source of evidence. Articles of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research. Literature reviews. Grey literature, reports and abstracts with an identifiable research design, guidelines. Editorials and expert opinions were excluded. The research was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Open Dissertations, DOAJ and in the Cochrane CENTRAL. Studies resulting from the search were entered into Rayyan software. After removing duplicates, title/abstract screening was conducted by two blinded researchers. In case of disagreement, a third researcher intervened. Subsequently, full-text articles were screened to determine if they met the research objectives. The entire study selection process was depicted in the PRISMA flow diagram and the results were presented following the PRISMA Sc-R. Results: Twenty-one articles were included. Sixteen articles discussed various plaster cast application techniques, while the remaining five discussed various strategies adopted by nurses for preventing complications. Discussion: The available literature still seems to be few and far between. Further research seems to be needed so that nurses can implement the best strategies in the use of plaster casts.