title: Prognostic outcome indicators following hanging injuries.
abstract: Hanging as a method of attempting suicide is increasing in incidence. A retrospective review of victims of hanging injuries presenting to our institution over a 5-year period was performed. Forty-two cases were reviewed. Drug and/or alcohol ingestion was identified in 70% of cases. There were no cervical spine injuries identified, although two unexpected thoracic spine fractures were found. There was an 88% survival rate, with a low incidence (5%) of poor neurological outcome. The Glasgow Coma Score at scene or on arrival at hospital was found to be a prognostic indicator. Victims without spontaneous cardiac output at scene did not survive, even if cardiopulmonary resuscitation was successful initially.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Liverpool Hospital, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool NSW 1871, Australia.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Penney
authors.forename: A H L
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: M J A
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Parr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000628:therapy*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D015996:Survival Rate