Acetabular fractures before and after the introduction of seatbelt legislation.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence and severity of acetabular fractures and associated injuries before and after seatbelt legislation.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Two major trauma centres, which are teaching hospitals.

PATIENTS

Three hundred and ninety-three patients who sustained acetabular fractures during the 5 years before and 5 years after seatbelt legislation was enacted. Of these, the fractures in 198 patients (50.4%) resulted from a motor vehicle accident.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The number and severity of acetabular fractures and associated injuries.

RESULTS

There has been a significant reduction in the number of acetabular fractures (p = 0.005) since seatbelt use became mandatory, and the complexity of the fractures has decreased. There has also been a marked reduction in associated injuries, such as fractures of other bones, and head, chest and abdominal injuries (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The seatbelt law has been a useful preventive measure, resulting in a reduction in the incidence of acetabular fractures and associated injuries.