Maxillofacial injuries in North American vehicle crashes

Abstract

Twenty cases of maxillofacial trauma to vehicle occupants in motor crashes were retrospectively analysed using data from the CIREN project (Crash Injury Research Engineering Network - a collaboration between eight level 1 trauma centres in America). The facial fractures and lacerations were classified and a correlation was made between the deformation of the vehicle and the injuries sustained. The importance of airbags as supplemental restraint systems is emphasized, as is the necessity for coexistent seatbelt use. The vehicle 'A' pillar as a source of injury is highlighted. Although there is no doubt that airbags save lives, the possible risks of powerful airbag deployment to small stature, out of position, vehicle occupants is discussed.

Facial trauma in the largest city in latin america, são paulo, 15 years after the enactment of the compulsory seat belt law

“…Brazil faces millions of deaths every year from motorvehicle crashes. In the comparision with other countries, Brazil is one of the worldwide leaders in terms of the number of motorvehicle accidents 6,9,10,12. …”

“…Results of epidemiological studies show that the etiology of facial fractures is variable across the world. However, motorvehicle accidents are among the most frequent causes of facial fractures 12,13. …”

“…Using a seat belt reduces the risk of death in individuals sitting in the front seat of a vehicle by 40‐65% and may reduce deaths in rear seat passengers by 25‐75% 6. However, results of other studies show that only 57% of countries require the use of seat belts in vehicles for all passengers, both seated in the front and back of the vehicle, with only 38% of low‐income countries having such laws12 (see Table 3). Research evaluating young drivers at the Catholic University of São Paulo showed that only 74% of university students always use a seat belt; therefore, one quarter of the population studied does not use frequently use one.…”

Air Bag‐Induced Orbital Blow‐Out Fractures

“…The 10 remaining cases consisting of isolated orbital blow-out fractures attributed solely to the air bag were included in our analysis. Seven of 10 were female, eight were drivers, with mean age and body mass index of 37 years (range, 17-55 years) and 24 kg/m 2 (range, [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38], respectively (Table I).…”