Citation

O'Kelly F, O'Brien GC, Broe PJ. Ir. J. Med. Sci. 2008; 177(4): 385-387.

Affiliation

Department of Academic Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, General Publications)

DOI

10.1007/s11845-008-0215-2

PMID

18820990

Abstract

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.

Language: en