[Injuries due to seat belts. Comments on a clinical case]. / Lesività da cinture di sicurezza. Considerazioni su di un caso clinico.

ABSTRACT

The authors report a case of associated injuries (thoracoabdominal trauma with multiple rib and sternum fractures, perforation of the small intestine, abdominal cutaneous ecchymosis) caused by a seat belt, and describe the possible seat-belt mechanisms of lesion in road accidents. Some clinical aspects are discussed; in particular the diagnostic problems concerning a seat-belt syndrome as well as the limits of effectiveness in the use of belts.