Introduction & Background: In the light of increasing rise of vehicular traffic and the accident rate causing great loss to the economy, effective measures have to be taken to control it and to treat the injured victims. 

Aim: To study the case profile of road traffic accident (RTA) injured patients reported at the trauma care center, King  George Hospital (KGH), Visakhapatnam, situated in North Andhra along the National Highway – 5 (NH-5). 

Material & Methods: It is a study of data related to trauma cases reported at the trauma care center, KGH for the period 2011 – 2018.  It is a retrospective comparative observational study of about 6532 inpatients out of which 1082 poly trauma cases, 5723 head injury cases, 334 spine injuries.    

Results & Discussion: About 10% are IP admissions and death rate ranges from 3 – 4%. 13 – 30% of IP admissions underwent emergency surgery at trauma OT. About 90% are MLC cases and death rate has been decreasing from 2011 to 2018 even with increasing number of accidents.  Alcohol intoxicated cases constitute about 17 – 46%, are high in this study which is about 15% in other studies.  Age group involved is  21 – 50 years young driving two wheelers,  mostly occurred from 7PM to 1AM in the ratio of 1:3 morning to evening  which conforms with other studies.  Most of the total trauma cases are due to road traffic accidents followed by cases due to falls.  Head injury is the commonest RTA injury followed by poly trauma which includes soft tissue and bone & joint injury. 

Conclusions: Though head injury is the commonest, injury due to poly trauma and falls is also significant in India. Most fatal accidents are preventable and a comprehensive multi programme approach can mitigate most of them. Cashless treatment policy in emergency trauma victims is obligatory.  Controlled incremental release of traffic at junctions can prevent accidents. Helmet and seat belt usage must be made compulsory on state and national highways. L and U road bends must be elimated along highways. De-addiction centers have to be opened at all highway hospitals.

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Dr Kodandarao Kuna MS (GS)

Faculty, Dept. of General Surgery, GIMSR – Address: Flat No. 401, Orchid’s Apartment, Ocean View Layout, Pandurangapuram, Visakhapatnam – 530003, India

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