PATTERN OF THORACO ABDOMINAL INJURIES IN FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN PUNE (MAHARASHTRA) INDIA - AN AUTOPSY STUDY

Background:Thoracoabdominal trauma due to road traffic accidents is a leading cause of death in young and productive age group of society. Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is defined as accident which takes place on the road between two or more objects, one of which must be any kind of a moving vehicle.The incidence of these injuries is increasing with the increase in the use of motor vehicles. The World Health Organization stated in its report that deaths due to Road Traffic Accidents are the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. Among non communicable conditions it is the sixth leading cause of death. The Thoracoabdominal region involves the largest surface area of the body and encloses vital organs like heart, lungs, great blood vessels, liver, spleen and kidneys. The paper brings forward the pattern of thoracoabdominal injuries encountered in RTAs and the demographic factors associated with it. Aims and Objectives:To study the anatomical pattern of thoracic and abdominal injuries in fatal road traffic accidents and its relationship to various demographic factors. Results:-The study was done to study the pattern of thoracoabdominal injuries in road traffic accident fatalities in Pune district of Maharashtra. The study was done for period of 18 months involving 120 cases. All the 120 autopsy cases involved in research were studied in patterns of injuries namely abrasions, contusions, lacerations, fractures and ruptures involving the skin of thorax and abdomen, bones involving abdomen and thorax and the organs involving the thoracoabdominal cavity. The total number of injuries in thorax(n =227) and abdomen (n=213) were noted as to the organs involved and to the nature of injuries. With data analysis a study was done as to ascertain the percentage of different body parts sustaining injuries and nature of injuries sustained. Amongst the organs in thoracic cavity, lung was the most commonly injured organ (35.24%).60% lung injuries were contusions and 40 % were lacerations.However the commonest injury of thorax was rib fracture (36.56%).In abdomen commonest solid organ involved was liver (31.45%). Conclusion:It may be said that RTAs with thoracoabdominal visceral injuries constitute a potential threat to life if not managed with multidisciplinary approach.