Abstract | BACKGROUND: Legislation, education and technology have led to a rise in the use of seat belts. This has significantly reduced automobile accident-related mortality, but it has increased seat belt-associated injuries. The aim of this study was to review all publications on seat-belt injury to the female breast and to analyse patterns of presentation, management and outcomes. METHODS: A literature search was performed by two independent reviewers using the PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE databases. The MeSH terms included ' seat belt breast' or 'breast traffic accident' or 'safety belt breast'. This study was supported by Level V evidence. RESULTS: In this review, 26 articles describing 42 patients were included. A total of 13 patients (31.0%) presented immediately after the road traffic accident (RTA) with pain, swelling, open wounds and/or haemorrhage of the breast. Active arterial extravasations were treated with angiographic embolization while wounds were mostly treated with dressings. Twenty-nine (69.0%) patients presented late, with a mean time of 6.77 months (3 weeks-5 years) after the RTA. This ranged from a palpable lump in the area of trauma to a worsening cleft deformity. Most late presentations were diagnosed with fat necrosis while five patients (17.2%) were found to have breast cancer. From this review, we propose a four-tier classification system that categorizes patients based on timing to presentation and symptoms, with recommended investigation and management options for each category. CONCLUSION: This is the most comprehensive systemic review to date of seat-belt injuries to the female breast, and our proposed classification may be useful in the management of such patients.
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Authors | Christopher Tam Song, Isabel Teo, Colin Song |
Journal | Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS
(J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg)
Vol. 68
Issue 3
Pg. 382-9
(Mar 2015)
ISSN: 1878-0539 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 25586018
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2014 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Topics |
- Breast
(injuries)
- Female
- Humans
- Seat Belts
(adverse effects)
- Wounds and Injuries
(diagnosis, therapy)
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