Abdomino-Pelvic Injuries in Case of Road Traffic Accidents" - an Autopsy Study

Abstract

Blunt force injuries of the abdomen and pelvis are less common than head injuries, but they may be more difficult to detect initially. Blunt force when applied over abdomen may cause either only external wound, only internal wound or both. Due to soft and yielding nature of the abdominal wall application of even a heavy force may not cause only external wound on abdominal wall but the transmitted force may come serious internal wound. In abdominal and pelvic injuries, it is very crucial to accurately appraise the full extent of injury involving various organs/structures. The management and outcome of the case depends on the identification of the organ involved in the trauma cases. During this study period out of 200 Road Traffic accident deaths, 60(30%) cases were with abdomen and pelvic injuries. The maximum cases of road traffic accidents with abdominal and pelvic injuries were seen in the age group of 21–30 years (25%), followed by 31–40 years (21.66%). Males (52 cases) outnumbered females (8 cases) and male - female ratio is approximately 6.5: 1. The maximum number of victims were pedestrians i.e., 31(51.7%) cases, followed by motorcyclist in 24(40%) cases and the least were occupant of light motor vehicle and the most common offending vehicle is Heavy Motor Vehicles in 27 cases (45%), followed by motorcycle in 12 cases (20%) and others in 9 cases (15%). Liver was the common organ involved in majority of victims, i.e., 28(46.7%) cases, followed by spleen in 15(25%) cases and kidneys in 10(16.7%) cases. Pelvic bone injury is the most common skeletal injury in abdomino-pelvic region i.e., 6 (10%) cases, followed by injury to lumbar spinal column in 3 (5%) cases. Hence this study may help clinicians in diagnosing the case at the earliest stage