Abstract

Abstract Background.Air bags (ABs) may be perceived by the public and physicians as protection for thoracoabdominal injuries. This study compares injury patterns when air bags are used alone with injury patterns when air bags plus mechanical restraints (MRs) are used. Methods.Patients treated over a 4-year period with emergency medical services-documented AB deployment alone (n = 16) or AB plus MR (n = 22) were identified by trauma registry query. Medical records were reviewed and injuries recorded. Results.Air bag-alone users had more severe overall (injury severity score ≥ 15:9 vs 5), chest (abbreviated injury score [AIS] ≥ 3:5 vs 1), and abdominal injuries (AIS ≥ 3:6 vs 0). They required more tube thoracostomies (5 vs 0) and laparotomies (6 vs 0), longer hospitalizations (11.9 ± 3.2 vs 5.3 ± 1.4 days), and more intensive care unit admissions (8 vs 1). Craniofacial injuries (AIS ≥ 3:6 vs 6) and fractures were similar. More victims using air bags alone required inpatient rehabilitation and some patients died (6 vs 1). Conclusions.Crash victims using air bags alone (vs AB plus MR) had increased injury severity, hospitalizations, thoracoabdominal procedures, and rehabilitation. Physicians must be aware of the incomplete protection by air bags alone.