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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 3/2008

01-05-2008 | Original Article

Pregnant woman and road safety: experimental crash test with post mortem human subject

Authors: Jerome Delotte, Michel Behr, Lionel Thollon, Pierre-Jean Arnoux, Patrick Baque, Andre Bongain, Christian Brunet

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 3/2008

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Abstract

Background

Trauma affect between 3 and 7% of all pregnancies in industrialized countries, and the leading cause of these traumas is car crashes. The difficulty to appreciate physiologic and anatomic changes occurring during pregnancy explain that majority of studies were not based on anatomical data. We present a protocol to create a realistic anatomical model of pregnant woman using a post mortem human subject (PMHS).

Methods

We inserted a physical model of the gravid uterus into the pelvis of a PMHS. 3D acceleration sensors were placed on the subject to measure the acceleration on different body segments. We simulated three frontal impact situations at 20 km/h between two average European cars.

Results

Two main kinematics events were identified as possible causes of injuries: lap belt loading and backrest impact.

Conclusions

Cadaver experiments provide one interesting complementary approach to study injury mechanisms related to road accidents involving pregnant women. This anatomical accuracy makes it possible to progress in the field of safety devices.
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Metadata
Title
Pregnant woman and road safety: experimental crash test with post mortem human subject
Authors
Jerome Delotte
Michel Behr
Lionel Thollon
Pierre-Jean Arnoux
Patrick Baque
Andre Bongain
Christian Brunet
Publication date
01-05-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0319-4

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