Citation

Paddle AM, Morrison WA. ANZ J. Surg. 2009; 79: A63-A63.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1445-2197.2009.04927_45.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background:   With the use of the three-point lap-diagonal seat belt restraint there has been a reduction in the number of deaths caused by automobile trauma. However, with the use of a restraint, a new pattern of injuries has emerged. The “seat-belt syndrome” comprises a constellation of injuries including soft tissue injury to the breast. Given that seat-belt legislation is becoming more widespread, it is likely that the incidence and reporting of these injuries will become more common. In this paper, we provide an overview of the reported literature regarding three-point lap-diagonal seat belt injury to the female breast. We then discuss the previously unreported area of breast reconstruction in a breast deformed as a result of blunt trauma, using a specific case as an example.