Pattern of Chest Injuries Following RTA – A Study from a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution
Olaejirinde O. Olaofe
Department of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
William O. Odesanmi
Department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Kayode A. Adelusola
Department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Akinwumi O. Komolafe
Department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Donatus Sabageh *
Department of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
Oluwole O. Odujoko
Department of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Worldwide, road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death. Severe chest injuries from such accidents are frequently fatal due to the presence of vital organs within the chest cavity. This study seeks to review these injuries and their implications for the safety of road users.
Study Design: Descriptive retrospective study.
Place and Duration of Study: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2009.
Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective analysis of the postmortem autopsy findings from cases of road traffic accidents with chest injuries at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria over a 10-year period. Analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS version 15.0 (P is significant at <0.05)
Results: A total of 75 cases were reviewed. The male to female ratio was 5.8:1 while the age range was from 6 to 80 years. The most frequently involved age-group was the 30 to 40-year age-group which accounted for 24 cases (32.0%). The most common anatomic finding in the chest was fracture of the ribs which occurred in 70 (93.3%) cases while 44 cases (58.7%) showed haemothorax and 19 cases (25.3%) had laceration of the lungs. The least affected chest structure was the diaphragm with only one case (1.3%). Most (81.3%) of the deaths were due to multiple injuries involving other regions of the body. About 40 victims (53.3%) died at the accident scene. About 54.7% of the victims were passengers while 32.0% were drivers and 13.3% were pedestrians. Minivans and saloon cars were involved in 42.7% and 24.0% of cases respectively.
Conclusion: Chest injuries in road traffic accident fatalities are more frequent in males and in the active young adult population. The ribs are the most frequently injured structures in the chest. Injuries to intra-thoracic organs and vertebrae are very uncommon. Majority of deaths are due to multiple injuries.
Keywords: Accident, chest, injuries, postmortem