|
Year |
2007 |
|---|---|
|
Question Number |
93 |
|
Category |
Musculoskeletal Trauma |
Question
In frontal motor vehicle accidents that involve a change in deceleration velocity of greater than 30 mph, airbag-protected individuals have a significantly decreased incidence of injury in which of the following categories compared to seat belt-restrained individuals?
1- Severe traumatic brain injury (GCS score of less than 12)
2- Thoracic injuries
3- Liver Injuries
4- Lung injuries
5- Pelvic fractures
Figures
Answer (click for answer)
Answer: 1 – Severe traumatic brain injury (GCS score of less than 12)
In frontal MVCs, multiple studies have been performed comparing the effects of air-bag versus seatbelts. In the cited articles, Loo et al found that n frontal crashes, airbags more than seatbelts reduced Glasgow Coma Scale severity in brain injury, face fracture, shock, and the need for MVC extrication. Frontal airbags also had a protective effect on LE fractures, but had no significant protective effect on pelvic fractures. When airbag protection was present, it prevented brain and face fracture injuries caused by impact contacts and reduced the incidence of these injuries resulting from VC intrusions. Thoracoabdominal injuries resulting from steering wheel intrusion showed airbag protection against intrusions of twice the magnitude of those seen in non-airbag vehicles, but this was not compared to seatbelts. In frontal MVCs, airbags reduced LE fracture contact injuries but did not prevent LE fractures resulting from intrusions of instrument panel, toepan, or floor pedal structures. In lateral MVCs, seatbelts did not protect against brain, face, thorax, or pelvic injuries. Therefore, this data supports answer 1 as being the correct answer
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