1Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Bathinda-151101, Punjab, India
2Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Bathinda-151101, Punjab, India
*Email id: ishaancuty2002@yahoo.co.in
**Email id: avtarsinghbansal@gmail.com
Online published on 23 April, 2014.
Background and Objectives: Because of increased incidence of psychiatric illness (increased expectation of society and peer pressure), cases of suicidal hanging among young individuals are frequently faced by autopsy surgeons all over India. All cases do not succeed and so unsuccessful hanging attempt cases (near hanging) are also frequently encountered by the emergency physicians. The number of studies is relatively less in relation to near-hanging cases; so an attempt has been made to present the demographical, epidemiological and clinical aspects of such cases encountered at the Adesh Hospital and the Civil Hospital, Bathinda, over a period of 7 years.
Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital record of near-hanging cases was carried out and the data were analysed with respect to demographical, epidemiological and clinical profile.
Results: Of the total 16 cases under review, eight (50%) had a history of psychiatric illness. Two (12.5%) victims had made a previous suicide attempt. The age of the victims ranged from 16 to 45 years, with 12 (75%) cases in the age group of 21–40 years.
Conclusion: Young population dominated among the victims. Survival was good after proper resuscitation and hospital care. Glasgow Coma Scale score and hypoxic brain injuries were the prognostic factors.
Hanging, Near hanging, Judicial hanging, Non-judicial hanging, Suicidal tendencies
