Chest wall injuries and the seat belt syndrome.

A 3-year prospective study of road traffic accidents in which injuries of the chest wall were accurately recorded and related to the use of seat belts was performed in Oxfordshire by a combined team of surgeons and engineers. An increased incidence of soft tissue injuries was noted in restrained front seat occupants though this was not the case for fractures of the clavicle or sternum. The overall incidence of broken ribs in front seat passengers was not affected by the wearing of belts but the incidence of those with four or more broken ribs was considerably reduced by wearing belts.