Abstract
The reported cases of intra-abdominal injuries resulting from wearing a lap-type safety belt are summarised. Although no fatality was recorded in this group, delay in diagnosis and treatment resulted in prolonged hospitalisation and extended morbidity. Intra-abdominal injuries resulting from the shoulder-type belt are summarised. These injuries were more severe and resulted in considerable mortality in spite of early recognition and treatment the present report adds four patients to those in the literature and analyses the diagnostic criteria and the manner in which the injuries occurred.