Causes and Outcomes of Road Traffic Accident Injuries Presenting to the Emergency Surgical Unit at Jos University Teaching Hospital

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) remain one of the foremost contributors to traumatic injury and surgical emergencies in Nigeria. This study examines the causes, injury patterns, and surgical outcomes of RTA victims admitted to the emergency surgical unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, from 2021 to 2023. A retrospective review of 265 case files was conducted, capturing mechanism of injury, anatomical injury distribution, initial management, operative interventions, and discharge outcomes. The Abbreviated Injury Scale was applied to classify injury severity. The majority of patients were male motorcyclists aged 18 to 35 years. The most common injuries included long bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and intraabdominal organ injuries. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 31% of cases with abdominal trauma, while orthopaedic splinting constituted the primary intervention for extremity injuries. In-hospital mortality was 11%, with hemorrhagic shock and delayed resuscitation as leading causes of death. The study calls for compulsory motorcycle helmet enforcement, improved prehospital trauma care systems, and targeted trauma surgery training for emergency department staff in the North Central region. Strengthening triage systems at JUTH and similar facilities is also recommended. Keywords: road traffic accident, trauma surgery, emergency surgery, Jos, North Central Nigeria