The influence of seatbelts on the types of operated brachial plexus lesions caused by car accidents.

PURPOSE

To determine whether there is a relationship between seatbelt use and type of brachial plexus injury seen in automobile accidents. Knowledge of such a relationship may help guide the surgical management of these patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 43 surgical patients with brachial plexus palsy caused by car accidents. We recorded sex, age, and type of injury for each case. We also obtained data regarding the patients' position in the car at the time of the accident and whether they were wearing a seatbelt.

RESULTS

We obtained data on 39 men and 4 women. Of the seatbelted patients, 24 (100%) had upper plexus palsy on the side where the seatbelt crossed the shoulder. Of those who were not wearing seatbelts, 17 (86%) had complete plexus injuries. We also found 1 upper and 1 lower plexus injury in the unbelted group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a relationship between the type of brachial plexus injury sustained by the accident victim and the use and position of the seatbelt. Complete plexus injuries were more common in those who were not wearing seatbelts. We saw upper plexus injuries for those wearing seatbelts. Information about seatbelt use may be useful in clinical practice. When treating an unbelted car accident victim with a brachial plexus injury, it is reasonable to anticipate a more serious form of the injury.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.