A Prospective Study Evaluating Injury Patterns, Management Strategies and Outcomes of Blunt Trauma Abdomen at A Tertiary Care Centre of North India

Abstract

Background: Blunt abdominal trauma remains a significant contributor to trauma-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. Variability in presentation and management strategies continues to influence outcomes, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Objectives: To evaluate demographic characteristics, injury patterns, management approaches, and predictors of outcome in patients presenting with blunt abdominal trauma at a tertiary care centre.

Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 consecutive patients admitted with blunt abdominal trauma over a one-year period. Clinical presentation, mechanism of injury, hemodynamic status, imaging findings, organ involvement, treatment modality, complications, length of hospital stay, and final outcomes were recorded.

Results: Road traffic accidents accounted for the majority of injuries (56%). Most patients (68%) were hemodynamically stable at presentation. Splenic injury was the most frequently observed organ involvement (38%), followed by hepatic injury (30%). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was the principal diagnostic modality in stable patients. Non-operative management was successfully implemented in 62% of cases. The overall mortality rate was 8%. Delayed presentation, unstable hemodynamic status at admission, multiple organ involvement, and requirement for damage control surgery were significantly associated with poor outcomes.

Conclusion: Blunt abdominal trauma predominantly affects economically active males and is most commonly caused by road traffic accidents. Careful patient selection for non-operative management, combined with timely surgical intervention in unstable individuals, plays a critical role in improving survival. Institutional data such as these are essential for refining trauma protocols in similar healthcare settings.