Faculty Collaboration Database

Traumatic facial injuries with steering wheel loading. J Trauma 1991 May;31(5):699-710

Date

05/01/1991

Pubmed ID

2030518

DOI

10.1097/00005373-199105000-00015

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0025737717 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   20 Citations

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the biomechanics of facial fractures caused by steering wheel loading. Twelve intact fresh human cadaver heads were impacted onto standard or energy-absorbing steering wheels with a custom-designed and validated vertical-drop apparatus. Either zygoma was impacted once at a velocity of 2.0-6.9 m/s. The specimens were oriented to permit a direct comparison between pretest and posttest radiography, and two-dimensional and three-dimensional CT images. Bone mineral content was determined, and biomechanical forces, accelerations, and deformations were recorded. More severe fractures were associated with higher forces on the zygoma. With increasing velocities, fractures initiated at the zygomatic region propagated to other unilateral regions such as the mandible and orbit or to the contralateral side. Less facial trauma was observed with energy-absorbing steering wheels compared with standard wheels at similar impact velocities. Bone mineral content did not correlate well with specimen age or with fracture severity. Clinically significant fractures were identifiable on 3-D CT images. The flexibility of 3-D CT in evaluating the spatial extent of facial abnormalities in different orientations may have significant impact in planning surgical procedures.

Author List

Yoganandan N, Sances A Jr, Pintar FA, Maiman DJ, Hemmy DC, Larson SJ, Haughton VM

Authors

Frank A. Pintar PhD Chair, Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Narayan Yoganandan PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Accidents, Traffic
Aged
Automobiles
Biomechanical Phenomena
Bone Density
Facial Bones
Facial Injuries
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Skull Fractures
Tomography, X-Ray Computed