Seat belts are more effective than airbags in reducing thoracic aortic injury in frontal motor vehicle crashes.
BACKGROUND
Airbags reduce the probability of death in frontal collisions, but the effect is small compared with seat belts. Little is known about the influence of seat belts and airbags on the incidence of thoracic aortic injury (TAI).


METHODS
The National Automotive Sampling System database was queried for the years 1993 to 1998 to determine the impact of seat belts and airbags on the incidence of TAI in survivors of frontal motor vehicle crashes. Proportions were compared using the two-sample Z test.


RESULTS
Seat belts prevent TAI regardless of airbag deployment. The effect of airbags is limited to those wearing seat belts. In frontal collisions without seat belt use, airbag deployment does not alter TAI incidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Seat belts are considerably more effective in preventing TAI than airbags after frontal motor vehicle crashes. Prevention efforts should continue to emphasize the use of active restraints. Restraint use should be considered a risk factor in evaluating patients for potential TAI.
Brasel
Karen J
KJ
Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA. kbrasel@mcw.edu
Quickel
Robert
R
Yoganandan
Narayan
N
Weigelt
John A
JA
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D017278:Air Bags; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012622:Seat Belts; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*