MECHANISMS OF BURN INJURY SECONDARY TO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

The efficacy of airbags as a vital, supplemental restraining device ha s been proven by their role in diminishing the rate of fatalities and severity of injury in motor vehicle crashes. Unfortunately, as with an y developing technology, deployment of the airbag itself has caused so me new problems. Most airbag-related injuries are minor and, surprisin gly, more than 5% are burns typically involving the upper extremity or head and neck. These are a result of the high temperature of the gase s released during inflation or of direct contact with the corrosive al kaline plume created as a combustion by-product. Fortunately, these ar e superficial burns that usually require only expectant treatment, but a high degree of suspicion in these circumstances is needed to make t he proper diagnosis.