Maxillofacial trauma secondary to airbag deployment: A scoping review

Motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of craniofacial trauma, with injury severity evolving alongside automotive safety advancements. While airbags and seatbelts have revolutionized trauma prevention, reducing worldwide mortality by over 70,000 lives in five years, their mechanics can paradoxically modify or exacerbate facial injuries due to occupant positioning, chemical factors, and collision dynamics. This study examines injury patterns, mechanisms, and trauma prevention strategies related to airbag-related maxillofacial trauma.

A scoping review was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus (up to October 2025). Search terms included "airbag," "maxillofacial injuries," and "occupant restraint system injuries." Inclusion criteria focused on human studies reporting airbag-related facial trauma. Two reviewers independently screened literature, resolving discrepancies via consensus.

Orbital fractures (particularly blow-out fractures) and ocular trauma dominated reported injuries, attributed to blunt force distribution during a car crash with airbag deployment. Soft tissue lesions, chemical burns, and atypical fractures were also documented. Case analyses revealed that injury severity and pattern were highly variable, significantly influenced by risk factors such as pre-impact braking, seatbelt nonuse, and close occupant proximity to the steering wheel. These findings underscore that trauma prevention strategies must extend beyond the presence of safety devices to include public education on optimal occupant positioning and restraint system interactions. Furthermore, continued technological refinements aimed at mitigating deployment kinetics and chemical risks remain critical.

Airbags provide indispensable protection in motor vehicle collisions, yet a balance between their lifesaving benefits and potential for injury requires multidisciplinary collaboration. Future efforts should integrate biomechanical research, clinical findings, and policy updates to improve occupant safety and optimize protective outcomes.