Insight into pathophysiology and management of partial hanging

Abstract

Background: Many methods are available for committing suicide. Hanging is one of the methods to committee suicide. The incidence of hanging for committing suicide is increasing. This is a retrospective study carried out at KDN Gohil Hospital, Navsari (Gujarat) to know about the outcome of this type of suicidal attempts and to review the management of such type of patients. Management of this type of injury is not found in many standard textbooks, so this small study will help to compare mortality rate and management protocol with other larger studies.Methods: All patients with history of hanging and accidental strangulation were brought to hospital, after they were released from strangulating agent were included in this study. Various aspects of agents used for hanging, the characteristic findings and management protocol of the patients were studied retrospectively.Results: Results in the form of survival rate and occurrence of complications. Out of 30 patients 24 patients survived and 6 died. Non had cervical spine injury. One patient had laryngeal injury and developed laryngeal stenosis.Conclusions: Suicidal hanging is different from judicial hanging. Most of the time suicidal hanging survival are high; once the patient is brought to the hospital alive in time. Early endotracheal intubations, management of hypotension, ventilator support and anti-oedema drugs are main steps of management.