Pattern of Abdominal Organ Injuries in Road Traffic Accidents: An Autopsy Based Cross-sectional Study from Central Kerala, India

Introduction: The abdominal wall usually avoids severe damage by transferring stress to the abdominal organs. Analysing the pattern of abdominal injuries in Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) may help clinicians in providing more targeted treatment to trauma victims at the earliest. Aim: The present study aimed to analyse the pattern of abdominal organ injuries in RTAs based on medicolegal autopsies. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included data from medicolegal autopsies of RTA victims conducted between December 2019 and September 2021 at a Government Medical College hospital in Thrissur, Central Kerala, South India. All cases in which death occurred as a result of RTArelated injuries were included. Postmortem examinations were performed, and injuries were recorded. Data were statistically analysed using the chi-square test and Cramer’s V effect size value Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16.0, Illinois, CA, USA). Results: A total of 70 cases were included. Males accounted for 57 (81.42%) (p=0.022). The majority of victims 55 (78.57%) were brought dead to the hospital, most of whom were between 40- 59 years of age. Among single-organ injuries, the liver was most commonly involved 38 (54.28%), followed by the mesentery 23 (32.85%). The most common type of injury was liver laceration (35/67, 52.22%), followed by mesenteric contusion (20/31, 64.51%) and splenic laceration (17/67, 25.37%). Multiple-organ injuries were also observed, most commonly involving two organs. Conclusion: Liver and mesenteric injuries were the most frequently observed, highlighting the severity and complexity of abdominal trauma. These findings emphasise the need for early diagnosis, efficient trauma care systems, and preventive strategies to reduce mortality associated with such injuries.