Victim profile and pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained in fatal road traffic accidents.

ABSTRACT

The present research aims to highlight the pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained by the victims of fatal road traffic accidents (RTA) in Manipal, South India. The study is an autopsy based observation of thoraco-abdominal injuries in victims of fatal road traffic accidents during 1999 – 2003. Road traffic accidents accounted for most of the injury related deaths (77%) during the study period. A male preponderance (86%) was observed with a male-female ratio of 61. Individuals in the age group of 21 to 50 years formed the most vulnerable (83%) group. External thoracic injuries were more common than internal thoracic injuries in the thoracic region. In the abdominal region, internal injuries were more common than external injuries. Lungs (61%) and kidneys (23%) were the most commonly involved organs in the thoracic and abdominal regions respectively. Majority of the victims were two wheeler occupants (35%) followed by pedestrians (23%). The study indicates the pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained along with the trend of road traffic accidents in the region.