Acetabular fractures before and after the introduction of seatbelt legislation.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the incidence and severity of acetabular fractures and associated injuries before and after seatbelt legislation.


METHODS
A retrospective study.


METHODS
Two major trauma centres, which are teaching hospitals.


METHODS
Three hundred and ninety-three patients who sustained acetabular fractures during the 5 years before and 5 years after seatbelt legislation was enacted. Of these, the fractures in 198 patients (50.4%) resulted from a motor vehicle accident.


METHODS
The number and severity of acetabular fractures and associated injuries.


RESULTS
There has been a significant reduction in the number of acetabular fractures (p = 0.005) since seatbelt use became mandatory, and the complexity of the fractures has decreased. There has also been a marked reduction in associated injuries, such as fractures of other bones, and head, chest and abdominal injuries (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The seatbelt law has been a useful preventive measure, resulting in a reduction in the incidence of acetabular fractures and associated injuries.
al-Qahtani
S
S
Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
O'Connor
G
G
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000293:injuries*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014193:Trauma Centers