Citation

Smith MD, Camp E, James H, Kelley HG. Am. Surg. 1997; 63(3): 294-298.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, South Carolina, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Southeastern Surgical Congress)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9036903

Abstract

Two cases are reported that reiterate the significance of pediatric seat belt usage. Detection of associated injuries is difficult and often delayed. The presence of intra-abdominal free fluid on CT without solid organ injury should indicate the need for surgical intervention. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage usage in pediatric seat belt trauma may need to be re-evaluated. These cases emphasize the above as well as important postinjury clinical changes necessary for earlier diagnosis. A newly designed youth seat belt is presented to help prevent these injuries.