Severe abdominal injuries sustained in an adult wearing a pelvic seatbelt: a case report and review of the literature.
In automobile accidents, the "seatbelt syndrome" (SBS) consists of a constellation of injuries, predominantly involving thoraco-lumbar vertebral fractures and intraabdominal organ injury. A recent amendment to Irish legislation has made the wearing of seatbelts mandatory for all rear seated passengers in an effort to protect children. Whilst rear seatbelts result in a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality following road traffic accidents (RTA), we present a case in which the rear lap seatbelt caused severe abdominal injuries. It is evident that the current rear seat lapbelt system is an inferior design associated with a significant morbidity and mortality when compared to three-point harness system and consideration should be given to replacing them in all motor vehicles.
O'Kelly
F
F
Department of Academic Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
O'Brien
G C
GC
Broe
P J
PJ
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001336:Automobiles; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007583:Jejunum / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D010388:Pelvis; D012449:Safety; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013577:Syndrome