Pattern of Injuries Sustained by the Vehicular Occupants during Road Traffic Accidents

  • Mushtaq Ahmed Associate Professor of Forensic Medicine Nishtar Medical University, Multan
  • Talha Naeem Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine Quaid e Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
  • Ummara Munir Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan
  • Ahmad Raza Khurram Demonstrator of Forensic Medicine Quaid e Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
  • Altaf Pervez Qasim Professor/Head of Forensic Medicine Department Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad
  • Hira Anjum Senior Demonstrator of Forensic Medicine Quaid e Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
Keywords: Road traffic accidents, Vehicular occupants, Pattern of injuries, Driver, Co-seat passenger, Rear seat passenger

Abstract

Objectives: To study the pattern of injuries sustained by the vehicular occupants during road traffic accidents presenting to a tertiary care hospital, for the purpose of identification and treatment modalities. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Settings: Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of Nishtar Hospital, Multan-Pakistan. Duration: Six months w.e.f. 1st January 2017 to 30th June 2017.Methodology: Total 152 cases were included in this study. In all cases of vehicular accidents, detailed history was taken from the injured patients / relatives & pattern of injuries were noted on predesigned proforma. Results: Mean age of the cases was 40.23±15.91. Out of 152 cases, 99(65.1%) were male and 53(34.9%) females. Position of occupant’s / seating was as follows: Driver 66(43.4%), co-seat passenger 51(33.6/%) and rear seat passenger 35(23.0%). As regard distribution of injuries; 65(42.8%) suffered from head injury, 49(32.2%) sustained injuries to the upper extremity, 60(39.5%) patients got the trauma to lower limbs, injuries over the chest were observed in 69(45.4%) cases, pelvic injuries in 36(23.7%) patients and abdominal injuries were noted in 13(8.6%) cases. Stratification with regard to age, gender and position / type of seating was carried out. Conclusion: Our study shows that chest and head injuries remained the most common and serious type of trauma sustained by drivers and front seat passengers and the same is encountered in the emergency department of our hospital. The availability of good neurosurgical care is essential for these patients. This study will be beneficial in establishing the identity of driver & co-seat passenger from the occupants of rear seats.

Published
2019-03-16
How to Cite
Ahmed, M., Naeem, T., Munir, U., Khurram, A. R., Qasim, A. P., & Anjum, H. (2019). Pattern of Injuries Sustained by the Vehicular Occupants during Road Traffic Accidents. Annals of Punjab Medical College, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2018.7