[Airbag associated deceleration trauma with complete infradiaphragmatic dissection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and tear of liver veins].

Numerous investigations have demonstrated that the ability of passenger airbag systems to reduce both injury severity and mortality in car accidents is restricted to the simultaneous application of seatbelts and airbags. Depending on the impact force during the accident and also on the driver's position to the airbag an isolated airbag deployment can even produce severe injuries. We describe a complete infradiaphragmatic dissection of the IVC and a tear of liver veins after an airbag deployment without seatbelt use. We discuss different airbag associated injuries, the possible pathomechanism of the described injury, frequency and prognosis of abdominal vascular injuries and their emergency treatment. In the presented case the isolated severe vascular injury resulted in an intraoperative death caused by exsanguination. In blunt trauma with accompanying hypotension pre-arrival alarming of the ER, rapid transport to the hospital and immediate surgery are most important for the outcome.