Injuries of the pelvic ring in road traffic accidents: a medical and technical analysis

Between 1985 and 1995, 9380 traffic accidents occurring in the area of Hann over, Germany, were analysed; 12 428 individuals had been injured and 387 ( 3.1%) had sustained a pelvic-ring injury (AIS(PELVIS) > 2). In 131 cases (3 4%), the injuries were further classified (Pennal and Tile) and a technical reconstruction made of the accident: 52% were type A, 27% type B and 21% t ype C injuries: 46% were in cars, 12% on motorised two-wheelers, 10% on bic ycles and 1% in utility vehicles; 31% were pedestrians. Pelvic-ring injurie s occurred in restrained vehicle occupants in accidents with a Deltav of mo re than 30 km/h, whereas they occurred in a considerable proportion of unre strained vehicle occupants, pedestrians and bicyclists at lower Deltav or c ollision speed. The percentage of B- and C-type injuries increased in crash es with higher Deltav or collision speed. In addition to further improvemen ts of the passive safety, lower collision speeds or Deltav would reduce or prevent pelvic-ring injuries. Due to the small number of occupants protecte d by airbags in this study, their protective effect for the pelvis could no t be assessed. The reconstruction of pelvic-ring injury mechanism in traffi c accidents is possible when technical and medical factors are considered. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.