Safety Device Use Affects the Incidence Patterns of Facial Trauma in Motor Vehicle Collisions: An Analysis of the National Trauma Database from 2000 to 2004

Background: Airbags and seat belts are designed to decrease injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions. The authors hypothesize that the use of these devices has an effect on the patterns of facial fractures and facial lacerations. Methods: The records of 15,293 facial fracture patients and 114,623 facial laceration patients from motor vehicle collisions were analyzed from the National Trauma Database. Five hundred sixty-five patients were...