The utility of seat belt signs to predict intra-abdominal injury following motor vehicle crashes

Pediatric chance fracture with seatbelt syndrome: A case report

Key Clinical Message

Prompt recognition and accurate diagnosis of seatbelt-related injuries such as Chance fractures are crucial for pediatric patients. Clinicians should be aware of the unique characteristics of children, including the presence of growth plates, and use advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging to guide appropriate treatment and minimize complications.

Abstract

Seatbelt-related injuries, known as the "seatbelt syndrome," encompass various injuries resulting from automobile accidents, including vertebral fractures, abdominal injuries, and great vessel traumas. Seatbelt signs include bruising or peeling of the anterior chest or abdominal wall, indicating abdominal pressure against the seatbelt. Chance fractures are a type of vertebral fracture characterized by fracture lines through multiple vertebral structures and are often associated with seatbelt injuries in adults. However, the unique features of Chance fractures in pediatric patients, such as the presence of growth plates, require a comprehensive diagnostic approach using advanced imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This case report highlights the complexity of seatbelt-related injuries in children and emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and multidisciplinary management. Understanding these factors can improve clinical knowledge and outcomes in children with seatbelt-related injuries.

Analysis of Biomechanics of Motor Vehicle Collisions for Passenger Cars: Implications for Passenger Vehicle Safety and Future Car Design Innovations

INTRODUCTION

Investigating biomechanics of injury patterns from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) informs improvements in vehicle safety. This study aims to investigate two-vehicle MVCs involving a passenger car and specific injury patterns associated with sources of injury, collision biomechanics, vehicle properties, and patient outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study conducted to evaluate the biomechanics of specific injury patterns seen in MVCs involving passenger cars using the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network database between the years 2005 and 2015.

RESULTS

A total of 631 MVC cases were included from 2005 to 2015. The majority of cases involved injuries to the head or neck, the thorax, and the abdomen (80.5%). Head/neck injuries from the steering wheel were associated with significantly higher injury severity score compared to those from seatbelts (26.11 versus 18.28, P < 0.001) and airbags (26.11 versus 20.10, P = 0.006), as well as a >6-fold higher fatality rate (P = 0.019). Thoracic injuries caused by the center console were twice as likely to be fatal than those caused by the seatbelt (P = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Occupants suffering injuries to the head/neck, the thorax, and the abdomen had higher injury severity score and fatality rates compared to other body regions, demonstrating that manufacturing and safety guidelines should focus on minimizing these injury patterns. Head/neck injuries caused by the steering wheel were associated with worse outcomes compared to those caused by seatbelts and airbags, further emphasizing the benefits of these critical safety features. Integration of innovative safety features like center-mounted airbags may improve occupant safety.

Validating the danger of vehicular protective devices and bowel injury

INTRODUCTION

Protective devices such as seat belts and airbags have improved the safety of motor vehicle occupants, but limited data suggest they may be associated with increased blunt bowel (small bowel or colon) injuries (BI). Unfortunately, this risk is unquantified.

METHODS

We analyzed the National Trauma Data Bank (2017-2019) using ICD-10 codes to identify adult motor vehicle occupants with BI who underwent surgical repair. We used logistic regression modeling to compare the risk of undergoing surgical repair for BI after using a protective device.

RESULTS

Of 2,848,592 injured patients, 475,546 (16.7%) were motor vehicle occupants. Only 1.2% (n = 5627/475,546) of patients underwent a bowel repair or resection. Using a seat belt only was associated with an adjusted OR of 2.09 (95% CI 1.91, 2.28) for undergoing a bowel repair/resection when adjusting for Injury Severity Score (ISS) and age. Airbag deployment without a seat belt had an adjusted OR of 1.46 (95% CI 1.31, 1.62), while both devices combined conferred an OR of 3.27 (95% CI 3.02, 3.54). However, using a seat belt was protective against death with an OR of 0.50 (95% CI 0.48, 0.53), adjusted for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Score, and ISS.

CONCLUSION

Seat belts and airbags are essential public health safety interventions and protect against death in motor vehicle-associated injuries. However, patients involved in MVCs with airbag deployment or while wearing a seat belt are at an increased risk of bowel injury requiring surgery compared to unrestrained patients, despite these events being relatively uncommon.

Click it or give it: Increased seat belt law enforcement and organ donation

Laws mandating that individuals wear a seat belt have the presumed goal of reducing motor vehicle accident fatalities, but the prevailing view is that they may reduce the number of organs available. I provide a conceptual model identifying mechanisms whereby the law could either increase or decrease organ donation. Exploiting variation across states and time in the adoption of primary seat belt enforcement, I investigate these mechanisms and estimate the effect of the law on the supply of organs. The law increases seat belt usage and decreases motor vehicle accident fatalities, which translates to a sizeable reduction in the number of motor vehicle accident-based organ donors. In contrast, the law is not associated with changes in the number of organ donors from nonmotor vehicle accident-based sources and is robust to controlling for hospital-specific effects. The effects are concentrated within organs expected to be most negatively impacted by the seat belt. Although primary enforcement represents a net-gain to society in terms of lives saved, the negative impact on organ donation suggests further emphasis be placed on policies aimed at increasing the availability of organs.

Seatbelt Sign as an Indication for Four-vessel Computed Tomography Angiogram of the Neck to Diagnose Blunt Carotid Artery and Other Cervical Vascular Injuries

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the neck has become the most common modality for diagnosing blunt carotid artery injury (BCAI). The protocol at our institution includes CTA on trauma patients with a seatbelt sign. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a solitary seatbelt sign is an indication for CTA of the neck to diagnose BCAI. We conducted a retrospective review of patients from 2000 to 2010 who received CTAs as a result of a seatbelt sign performed at our Level I trauma center. Four hundred eighteen patients received CTAs based on the presence of a seatbelt sign. Two hundred twenty-six had skeletal injuries, obvious soft tissue injuries, and/or positive findings on imaging, including 11 positive vascular findings with two BCAIs found. Patients with noncarotid vascular injuries on CTA had a higher Injury Severity Score than patients with solitary seatbelt signs (11.4 ± 7.6 vs 3.4 ± 4.2, P < 0.01). The correlation between seatbelt sign and positive finding on CTA was weak ( r = 0.007). Patients with vascular findings on CTA also had obvious hard/soft tissue injuries and/or positive findings on standard trauma imaging. This suggests that a protocol for CTA of the neck for patients with a seatbelt sign can be reserved for those with associated injuries on physical examination and/or findings on standard trauma imaging.

The importance of wearing a seatbelt correctly - A case report of blunt trauma causing complete shearing transection of the gastroduodenal junction

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Seat belt related injuries can cause significant morbidity and mortality in road traffic accidents.

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We present a case where an improperly worn seatbelt caused traumatic shearing transection of the gastroduodenal junction.

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A systematic multidisciplinary assessment approach enabled all injuries to be identified early.

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The patient underwent damage control exploratory laparotomy then delayed reconstruction of the alimentary tract.

Introduction

Global mortality as a result of road traffic accidents (RTA) has reduced significantly since mandatory implementation of seatbelts. Whilst seatbelt related injury, or “seatbelt syndrome,” is a recognised phenomenon, unrestrained passengers have considerably worse survival outcomes. Improper positioning of seatbelts, as is discussed in the following case, can cause extensive injury.

Presentation of case

Our patient is a 35-year-old female who was a restrained front seat passenger in a car vs. tree collision at 80 km/h. Her seat belt was worn with the shoulder strap under her left axilla. She sustained multiple injuries including complete transection of the gastroduodenal junction. In addition to this she had splenic, liver, transverse colonic, left lower rib and humeral injury. She underwent damage control laparotomy with splenectomy; re-look with gastrojejunostomy and transverse colonic resection with defunctioning ileostomy. She made a good recovery and was discharged after a 4 week admission.

Discussion

Improperly worn seatbelts redistribute decelerative forces to sensitive regions. A multidisciplinary approach is required to effectively manage complex multi-system trauma. In trauma the simplest reconstructive measures can be the most effective and minimise risk of further complications for the patient.

Conclusion

Improperly worn seatbelts pose a significant risk to patients. A traumatic complete gastroduodenal transection can be effectively reconstructed with gastrojejunostomy anastomosis.

Is it safe to discharge blunt abdominal trauma patients with normal initial findings?

BACKGROUND

Trauma is the leading health concern among young adults. Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is the most common type of blunt traumas. BAT patients may prove normal in the initial clinical assessments, but since the time required for an intra-abdominal injury to be clinically apparent is not predictable, deciding when to safely discharge these patients could be a dilemma. The purpose of this study is to determine whether follow-up of the early discharged or further diagnostic assessment of the later discharged BAT patients with normal initial findings reveals any abnormal findings.

METHODS

Totally, 389 hemodynamically-stable patients suspected of BAT who arrived at the emergency department (ED) of two university hospitals in Tehran from September 2013 to September 2014 were included in this study. Upon arrival at the ED, all subjects underwent abdominal examination and FAST, and were assessed for hematocrit and base deficit levels and presence of hematuria. These assessments were repeated in the patients who were discharged after 6 h, at 6 or 12 h post-arrival. All patients were followed-up after 24 h and one week by phone call.

RESULTS

Out of all study participants, 158 patients (40.6%) had normal findings in all initial assessments. These patients were discharged from the ED after a median of 5 h. After one week of follow-up, none of them had any symptom or complication, or had sought medical attention after being discharged from the study hospitals. Out of these patients, 78 patients (49.4%) were discharged after 6 hours by their physician's decision, and underwent the same diagnostic assessments for the second or third time. None of these assessments revealed any abnormal findings.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of normal abdominal exam, normal FAST, normal hematocrit, normal base deficit, and absence of hematuria rules out intra-abdominal injury in BAT patients. It is safe to discharge patients after they prove normal for these assessments. Longer observation and repeated diagnostic assessment of these patients does not yield any new findings, and seems to be unnecessary.

Association between the seat belt sign and intra-abdominal injuries in children with blunt torso trauma in motor vehicle collisions

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to determine the association between the abdominal seat belt sign and intra-abdominal injuries (IAIs) in children presenting to emergency departments with blunt torso trauma after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs).

METHODS

This was a planned subgroup analysis of prospective data from a multicenter cohort study of children with blunt torso trauma after MVCs. Patient history and physical examination findings were documented before abdominal computed tomography (CT) or laparotomy. Seat belt sign was defined as a continuous area of erythema, ecchymosis, or abrasion across the abdomen secondary to a seat belt restraint. The relative risk (RR) of IAI with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated for children with seat belt signs compared to those without. The risk of IAI in those patients with seat belt sign who were without abdominal pain or tenderness, and with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 14 or 15, was also calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 3,740 children with seat belt sign documentation after blunt torso trauma in MVCs were enrolled; 585 (16%) had seat belt signs. Among the 1,864 children undergoing definitive abdominal testing (CT, laparotomy/laparoscopy, or autopsy), IAIs were more common in patients with seat belt signs than those without (19% vs. 12%; RR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.3 to 2.1). This difference was primarily due to a greater risk of gastrointestinal injuries (hollow viscous or associated mesentery) in those with seat belt signs (11% vs. 1%; RR = 9.4, 95% CI = 5.4 to 16.4). IAI was diagnosed in 11 of 194 patients (5.7%; 95% CI = 2.9% to 9.9%) with seat belt signs who did not have initial complaints of abdominal pain or tenderness and had GCS scores of 14 or 15.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with seat belt signs after MVCs are at greater risk of IAI than those without seat belt signs, predominately due to gastrointestinal injuries. Although IAIs are less common in alert patients with seat belt signs who do not have initial complaints of abdominal pain or tenderness, the risk of IAI is sufficient that additional evaluation such as observation, laboratory studies, and potentially abdominal CT scanning is generally necessary.

Seat belt sign and its significance

Safety belts are the most important safety system in motor vehicles and when worn intend to prevent serious injuries. However, in unusual circumstances (high velocity motor vehicle collisions) these safety measures (seat belts) can be the source and cause of serious injuries. The seat belt syndrome was first described as early by Garrett and Braunste in but the term “seat belt sign” was discussed by Doersch and Dozier. Medical personnel's involved in emergency care of trauma patients should be aware of seat belt sign and there should a higher index of suspicion to rule out underlying organ injuries.