Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
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An Analysis of Injuries in Medicolegal Cases Encountered in the Accident and Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Sachin Sonawane, Rajesh B. Sukhdeve, Sarah Al Hinnawi and Shivkumar R. Kolle
Page: 416-422 | Received 15 May 2024, Published online: 08 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Injury is one of the leading causes of suffering to mankind and is a significant problem particularly with the view on rapid development and motorisation. They are also the leading cause of death in young adults. Increasing urbanisation has led to changes in the epidemiology of trauma. Road Traffic Accidents is the most common cause of injury seen in cities with varying degrees of mortality. It has become a major public health concern in developing countries like India. Hence, this study was conducted to elucidate the pattern and characteristics of trauma cases which presented to the accident and emergency department of a tertiary care centre in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai. This study was conducted retrospectively by assessment of injury cases that were presented to the accident and emergency department and MLC was registered in the month of January 2022. The results were expressed in frequency and percentage. A total of 1167 injury cases reported to the Accident & Emergency department in the month of January 2022. Majority (30.51%) were in the age group of 21‐30 years followed by the age group of 31‐40 years (21.51%). Males outnumbered females with a ratio of 3:1. The most common cause of injury seen was physical assault (31.9%) followed by accidental fall (26.7%). Accidents by two‐wheelers (43.5%) accounted for most of the road traffic accident injuries. Blunt injuries (61.9%) were most commonly seen in accidental injuries other than fall as compared to sharp force trauma (11.7%). Fall from staircase (19.9%) and fall while playing (17.9%) were the causes of majority of accidental falls reported. While only a few thermal injuries were reported, burns due to dry heat (50%) were common among them. Incised wounds (66.7%) were the most common self‐inflicted injury. A good outcome was observed as most of the patients were discharged on OPD basis (71.7%) after getting primary treatment and all referrals done. Majority of the cases were male in the age group of 21‐30 years. Assault has remained the most commonly registered MLCs followed by accidental fall. In road traffic accidents, most of the causes of injuries were due to accidents by two‐wheelers. In the accidental category other than falls, blunt trauma injuries were the commonest injury seen. Fall from staircase accounts for the majority of cases of fall. Burns were the common cause of thermal injuries. Incised wounds were highest in the self‐inflicted category. Highest number of cases were discharged on OPD basis.
How to cite this article:
Sachin Sonawane, Rajesh B. Sukhdeve, Sarah Al Hinnawi and Shivkumar R. Kolle. An Analysis of Injuries in Medicolegal Cases Encountered in the Accident and Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.8.416.422
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.8.416.422