On burn injuries related to airbag deployment

Airbags have been shown as a vital, supplemental restraining device that save lives and reduce morbidity associated with motor vehicles crashes. However, as with any developing technology, airbags have also been identified in some instances, as the source of injuries which, have been well described in the literature. To a significantly lesser degree, burns due to airbag deployment (about 7-8% of these injuries) have been reported. These injuries will be seen more frequently as more vehicles are equipped with airbags and should be suspected in drivers and passengers involved in accidents in which airbags have been activated. This article, reviews the various types of burns and their pathogenesis, found in crashes involving airbag deployments.