COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF RIB FACTURE PATTERNS IN BLUNT TRAUMA CHEST/ ABDOMEN.

ABSTRACT Blunt thoracic trauma is routinely a cause of trauma related deaths and when associated with rib fractures, makes the mechanism and pattern of rib fractures an important area of consideration, both because of associated mortality as well as, clues that it can provide to help an expert to opine regarding the manner of injury. This study aimed to determine rib fracture patterns and associated injuries in cases of blunt trauma to chest and abdomen. We studied a hundred cases of blunt trauma to chest and abdomen that presented in the trauma emergency and met our predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Key words: blunt trauma chest, road traffic accidents, assault, fall, blunt trauma abdomen, rib fractures, trauma.