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Close range blasts toward the maxillofacial region in attempted suicide
1Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, Sweden.
Summary
Facial firearm injuries from suicide attempts, though rare, often involve jaw fractures. Early debridement and reconstruction lead to good functional and aesthetic recovery for patients.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Firearm-related suicides and attempts are infrequent in Sweden.
- Facial injuries from attempted suicide present unique reconstructive challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the patterns of soft and hard tissue injuries in patients with facial trauma from attempted suicide.
- To evaluate the outcomes of conservative debridement and early reconstruction for these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 12 patients with attempted suicide resulting in facial injuries.
- Documentation of injury extent, emotional state, and treatment protocols.
- Assessment of functional, aesthetic, social, and psychiatric rehabilitation outcomes.
Main Results:
- The maxilla was the most frequently fractured bone.
- Mandibular fractures occurred in six patients, three with significant bone defects.
- Depression and alcohol influence were common preceding factors.
- Initial treatment focused on debridement and jaw fixation, with delayed grafting and flaps.
Conclusions:
- Self-inflicted facial injuries, despite initial severity, can be managed effectively.
- Conservative debridement and timely reconstruction yield satisfactory functional and aesthetic results.
- Comprehensive rehabilitation addresses functional, aesthetic, social, and psychiatric needs.