A profile of abdomino-pelvic injuries in medico-legal autopsies

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A profile of abdomino-pelvic injuries in medico-legal autopsies

Journal Title: Medpulse International Journal of Forensic Medicine - Year 2018, Vol 8, Issue 3

Abstract

Background: Due to rapid industrialization and motorization of the modern world there is a rapid increase in the incidences of accidental injuries. WHO advisory group in 1956 defined accidents as “an unpremeditated event resulting in recognizable damage”. Injuries following accidents especially after road traffic accidents is one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality. More over these incidences involve relatively younger population of the society. Since time immemorial the thoraco-abdominal cavity has been looked upon as one of the most vulnerable part of the body and injuries involving it have been the topic of interest amongst forensic experts. Due to its anatomical position, relatively unprotected anterior abdominal wall and large surface area, thoraco-abdominal region is major site of impact in any form of blunt trauma particularly motor vehicular accidents. Thoraco-abdominal injuries can be caused by a wide range of causes including but not limited to road traffic accidents, fall from height, railway accidents, industrial accidents, and assault. We conducted this study to analyse the pattern of abdomino-pelvic injuries in cases brought for medicolegal autopsies in the department of forensic medicine of a tertiary care medical college situated in Central India. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study in which 203 cases brought for medicolegal autopsies and having abdomino-pelvic injuries were included depending upon a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Routine information about age, sex, brief history/ facts about the cases was collected from police inquest report, relatives and friends of the deceased. In all cases, detailed post-mortem examinations were carried out. This included full external and internal examination of the victim’s body, noting the presence of any associated body injuries and finding the cause of death in every case. The data was analyzed using SSPE 22 Software. P value less than 0.005 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Out of 203 studied cases there were 179 (88.18%) males and 24 (11.82%) females with a M: F ratio of 1:0.13. The most common affected age group was found to be 21-20 yrs. (33.01%) and the most common manner of injury was accidents (88.18%). Road traffic accidents were the predominant cause of injuries (73.40%) and majority of the patients were admitted to hospital and subsequently died (51.73%). In majority of the cases survival period was found to be 2-6 hours (23.65%). External abdominal and pelvic injuries were present in 62.07 % and 34.98%patients respectively and the most common type of external injury was found to be contusion which was present in 53 (26.11%) and 27 (13.30%) patients in abdominal and pelvic regions respectively. The most common visceral injuries were found to be involving liver (62.07%) followed by spleen (35.96%) and omentum (32.02%). In 94 (46.31%) cases associated head, chest and limb injuries were present. Conclusion: Abomino-Pelvic injuries constitute a major cause of morbidity and mortality in today’s motorized and mechanized world. The fact that majority of our cases were admitted in hospital before their eventual deaths points towards the fact that proper knowledge, early diagnosis and prompt management of these injuries may prove to be lifesaving for patients of abdomino-pelvic injuries.

Authors and Affiliations

Sarah Al Hinnawi, Yadav G More, Dinesh S Akarte, A A Mukherjee

Keywords

EP ID EP467901
DOI 10.26611/1018832
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