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Background: After the strict implementation of helmet rule the number of head injuries due to road traffic accidents has subsequently decreased, but injuries sustained to thoracic and abdominal regions are still on the rise. Because of their size and anatomical position, they are major regions of trauma in road traffic accidents. This post mortem study of profile of thoraco-abdominal injuries, type, pattern and nature of external and internal injuries involved, was an attempt to highlight the trends & pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries in fatal road traffic accidents in Mangalore city. Material and Methods: Present study was a retrospective, autopsy-record based study of thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained in fatal road traffic accidents. Details of deceased individuals such as age, sex, information furnished by the police in the inquest papers (form 146 (i) & (ii)), autopsy findings, investigation reports if any and cause of death were noted in proforma. Results: During study period among 4271 cases 859 cases (20%) were due to road traffic accidents. Out of these 859 cases of road traffic accidents 247 cases (29%) sustained thoraco-abdominal injuries. 38.5% cases happened on city roads & pedestrians were most common victims (45.8%). Most common injuries were fractures of ribs (60%), followed by injuries to lungs (37%) cases and injuries to heart (23%). Crush injuries were observed in 6% of cases. There were 136 (55%) cases of internal abdominal injuries, most common organ injured was liver (38%), followed by spleen (17%) & abdominal wall (14%). Among the 247 cases, most common cause of death was head injury (47%) followed by thoraco- abdominal injury (20%), head injury and thoracic injury (8%), only thoracic injury (7%), abdominal injury (6%). Conclusion: Most fatal accidents were reported on city roads, in summer season and cause of death was head injury followed by thoraco-abdominal injuries. Ribs, lungs and Liver were the organs most commonly injured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After the strict implementation of helmet rule the number of head injuries due to road traffic accidents has subsequently decreased, but injuries sustained to thoracic and abdominal regions are still on the rise. This post mortem study of profile of thoraco-abdominal injuries, type, pattern and nature of external and internal injuries involved will be an attempt to highlight the trends of mortality due to thoracoabdominal injuries associated with road accidents in Mangalore city. Material and Methods: Present study was autopsy record based retrospective study conducted deaths associated with thoracic-abdominal injuries that have definite history of road traffic accidents. Results: From 247 deaths of RTA victims who sustained thoraco-abdominal injuries, most common age group was 20 – 29 (21.8%) years, male: female ratio was 5.6: 1. 21 % of cases were spot dead or dead on arrival to hospital, 60 % of cases died within 24 hours. 68.8% cases had thoracic trauma with signs of external injuries such as abrasions (60.7%), contusion (10.5%) and laceration (10.2%). External abdominal injuries were present on 54.2% cases, 48.9% cases had abrasion followed by contusion in 8.9% cases and laceration in 6.5% cases. 199 (80.6%) cases sustained internal injuries to thorax. Fractures of ribs were present on 59.5% cases. Injuries to lungs sustained in 37.2% cases and to heart in 22.6% cases. 136 (55.1%) cases of internal abdominal injuries, most common organ injured was liver (38%), followed by spleen (17%) & abdominal wall (14%). Among the 247 cases, cause of death in 47% cases was head injury followed by thoraco-abdominal injury (20%), head injury and thoracic injury (8%), only thoracic injury (7%), abdominal injury (6%). Conclusion: The present study maximum numbers of the victims were males, from age group of 20-39 years, reported on city roads, pedestrians, noted in summer season and cause of death was head injury followed by thoraco-abdominal injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Victims in road traffic accidents sustain large varieties of thoracic and abdominal injuries. This post mortem study of profile of thoraco-abdominal injuries, type, pattern and nature of external and internal injuries involved will be an attempt to highlight the trends in this region. This study is aimed to study socio-demographic profile of victims died due to fatal thoraco-abdominal injuries in road traffic accidents in Mangalore city. Material and Methods: Present study was a record based retrospective autopsy study carried autopsies that had thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained in fatal road traffic accidents. Results: 247 cases sustained thoraco-abdominal injuries in RTA were studied. The most common age group was 20 – 29 (21.8%) years followed by 30 -39 years (20.2%). Male victims (85.02%) were more compared to females (14.98%) and male: female ratio was 5.6: 1. Most cases were happened on city roads (38.5%) & pedestrians comprise the greatest number of victims involving 46% cases. 69% cases had thoracic trauma with signs of external injuries while external abdominal injuries were present on 54% cases. 199 (81%) cases sustained internal injuries to thorax. 55% cases were associated with external injuries of thorax and 26% cases are without external injuries. Most common injuries were fractures of ribs (60 %), injuries to lungs (38%) & injuries to heart (23%). There were 136 (55%) cases of internal abdominal injuries, most common organ injured was liver (38%), followed by spleen (17%) & abdominal wall (14%). Conclusion: The present study was undertaken to focus light upon socio-demographic profile of thoraco-abdominal injuries in fatal road traffic accidents. Maximum numbers of the victims in the present study were males (85 %) in the age group of 20-39 years (42%), reported in city roads (39%), during summer season. Maximum numbers of victims were pedestrians (46%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]