Study of Socio-Demographic Profile of Thoraco-Abdominal Injuries in Fatal Road Traffic Accidents in Mangalore City.

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]