Falls from height due to accident and suicide attempt in Greece. A comparison of the injury patterns

Falls from height are a common cause of death and disability. Falls from height can be divided between accidental and suicide attempts. The aim of this study is to ascertain the demographic characteristics of these patients, and to identify the fracture patterns.

In this retrospective cross sectional comparative study we present 244 patients who sustained injuries as a result of a fall from height. They were divided into those with accidental falls (n = 180, group I) and those with suicide attempts (n = 64, group II). Data collected included age, gender, associated trauma, injury severity score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), haemodynamic status, length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. The diagnosis of mental disorder was ascertained by psychiatric specialists using the criteria of the International Classification of Disease Ninth Version Clinical Modification (ICD - 9CM). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 months to 10 years.

The injuries sustained were as follows: Abdominal trauma in 9 cases (5 in group I, 4 in II), thoracic trauma in 81 cases (49 in group I, 32 in II), head injury in 23 cases (7 in group I, 16 in II), 383 extremities fractures (184 in group I, 199 in II) and 133 spinal fractures (101 in group I, 32 in II). Twenty-one patients died in hospital while 223 patients survived to hospital discharge. The mean height from which the fall occurred was 5.4 m (range, 3 - 25 m). The mean Injury Severity Score was 19 (range, 6 to 58) for all fall victims.

Patients following an accidental high fall mostly had upper limb fractures. Patients following a suicidal high fall mostly had lower limb fractures, pelvis, spinal fractures and head injuries. Spinal fractures are common either when the fall is accidental or following suicide attempt.