Study of Deaths Due to Blunt Injury Abdomen in and Around Visakhapatnam

Abstract

BACKGROUND The objectives of this study are 1. To analyse the deaths due to blunt injury abdomen brought to the mortuary 2. To make a comprehensive and detailed study to recognize the pattern of injuries to the abdominal viscera commonly involved as a result of blunt trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is an analytical study of deaths due to blunt injury abdomen at King George Hospital Mortuary, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from January 2011 to December 2011. RESULTS During the calendar year of 2011, 1670 cases were reported, of which 63 cases were deaths due to blunt injury abdomen. Blunt injury abdomen cases accounted for 3.77% of total autopsies. Majority of the victims are males accounting for 87% (n=55 cases) and females representing 13%. Individuals in 21-30 years age group are more prone. Road traffic accidents are the main cause of blunt injury abdomen deaths, accounting for 67%. Other factors like time of incident, period of survival, abdominal visceral organ involvement, association with other systemic injuries were also ascertained. CONCLUSION Majority of the victims were males. Young and active population was mostly affected. Daytime incidents are common. Road traffic accidents played major role. External visible injuries were present in 68% of cases. Majority of cases succumbed to death within six hours. Most commonly affected visceral organ was liver. Death due to haemorrhagic shock was commonest cause of death.