Injury patterns of unsuccessful suicide attempts in the head and neck area – a retrospective analysis over 15 years

Introduction Attempted suicide is a major, often interdisciplinary, challenge. Due to the vital organs located in the head and neck area, an ENT diagnosis and/or therapy is necessary for many injury patterns of attempted suicides.

Material & Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out over 15 years. All patients (m/f) who were treated as outpatients or inpatients at the ENT Department of Ulm University Medical Center because of a suicide attempt were included.

Results 69 patients were included (m: 41/69; f: 28/69). The mean age at the suicide attempt was 43.3 years (m: 47.2 [11-87]; f=37.6 [14-93]). Women undertook the attempt significantly younger than men (p=0.033). Seven methods were distinguished: strangulation (44.9%), stab wounds (15.9%), jumping from a height and use of firearms (10.1% each), ingestion of acids/bases (7.2%) and pills (4th .3%). Men preferred strangulation (34.1%) and stab wounds (24%), women strangulation (60.7%) and taking pills (10.7%). Men had to undergo ENT-specific surgery significantly more frequently than women (43.9% vs. 7.1%, p<0.001). 17.4% (m=24.4%; f=7.1%) of the patients required intensive care. Psychiatric diagnoses were known in 34.1% (male) and 57.1% (female).

Discussion The suicide attempts of male patients require significantly more often surgical intervention by an ENT doctor and/or intensive care monitoring. The intended suicidal methods, strangulation and stab wounds, most frequently led to an emergency consultation oft he ENT department.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023