A Case of Pediatric Cecum Perforation Caused by Seat-Belt Injury

Abstract

The patient was an 8-year-old girl. She was transferred to our hospital by air ambulance because of a traffic accident. She sat on the left rear seat in the car and was inappropriately secured with only a lap belt. She had seatbelt marks on the lower abdomen, and symptoms of peritoneal irritation were observed. Computed tomography revealed gastrointestinal perforation, and emergency surgery was performed. Laparoscopic examination revealed damage around the cecum, and the procedure was converted to open laparotomy. A cecum rupture was found on the opposite side of the ileocecal valve, and simple suture closure was performed. Although she experienced postoperative ileus, it gradually improved, and she was discharged on postoperative day 9. When treating patients who have been involved in a traffic accident, emergency physicians should understand the mechanism and characteristics of abdominal organ injury caused by a seat belt and consider the possibility of abdominal organ injury. Adults should be aware of the dangers of children wearing seat belts improperly.