International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2019; 5(1): 5-8 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijo doi: 10.11648/j.ijo.20190501.12 ISSN: 2472-2405 (Print); ISSN: 2472-2413 (Online) Management of Atypical Suicidal Cut Throat Injury in a Private Tertiary Hospital Adeyeye Rachael Adetola 1 , Akinola Moses Ayodele 1 , Fasesan Oluwatoyin 2 , Ogundare Emmanuel 3 , Agbaakin Adewale Daniel 1 1 Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Department of Surgery, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan Remo, Nigeria 2 Psychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan Remo, Nigeria 3 Anesthesiology Unit, Department of Surgery, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan Remo, Nigeria Email address: To cite this article: Adeyeye Rachael Adetola, Akinola Moses Ayodele Fasesan Oluwatoyin, Ogundare Emmanuel, Agbaakin Adewale Daniel. Management of Atypical Suicidal Cut Throat Injury in a Private Tertiary Hospital. International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. Vol. 5, No. 1, 2019, pp. 5-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ijo.20190501.12 Received: December 31, 2018; Accepted: January 22, 2019; Published: February 19, 2019 Abstract: Cut throat injuries are potentially life threatening due to the peculiarity of the structures traversing this region of the body. These injuries could be accidental, homicidal or suicidal and the use of a sharp weapon is the least frequent suicidal method in most cases reported. In cases of attempted suicide, hesitant marks are a common finding. Attempting suicide by cutting the throat without hesitant marks is a very rare occurrence. Generally, cases of cut throat injuries are largely under reported as many are fatal before presenting to the hospital therefore a definite incidence is not available. These patients need emergency multidisciplinary care to prevent rapid deterioration, avoidable morbidity and mortality. Adequate airway management skill in intubating and securing the airway to allow for wound exploration and surgical repair is essential for a good outcome. We present to you a rare case of suicidal cut throat injury in a 38 year old male with depressive type of schizoaffective disorder not associated with hesitant marks at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, a private tertiary hospital in south west Nigeria. The rarity of the case is the reason for presenting this case report. Keywords: Suicidal Cut Throat Injuries, Incidence, Morbidity, Mortality, Hesitant Marks 1. Introduction Suicide is a major cause of mortality worldwide. It is a human tragedy that accounts for an estimated one million deaths annually [1]. The incidence of attempted suicide is about twenty times more than that of completed suicide [2] . There are several methods of attempting suicides. According to some reports from studies done in Nigeria, the most popular methods of attempting suicide includes hanging, use of firearms and ingestion of poisonous substances in that order. [3] Throat cutting remains a rare method [4]. More rare is attempting suicide by throat cutting without hesitant marks as seen in the case report[5]. Several risk factors have been implicated in suicide and attempted suicide and some of these includes mental illnesses, physical health problems, drug and alcohol abuse, interpersonal difficulties as well as socioeconomic problems among others. [6] WHO mortality base shows that 85 per cent of the world’s suicides occur in low and middle income countries. [7] The prevalence of attempted suicide in Nigeria is 0.7 per cent. [8] When suicidal cut throat injuries occur, a multidisciplinary approach is required in the effective management of the victim and requires the close collaboration of the otorhinolaryngologist, anesthesiologist and the psychiatrist. The diagnosis is based on history and examination of the pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and other contiguous structures to determine the extent of the injury. The neck accommodates vital structures like neurovascular bundles, larynx, trachea and oesophagus. Injuries to these structures are varied and depend on the site, pattern and depth of the cut on the neck. 2. Case Report Patient is a 38 year old single unemployed male of Yoruba ethnicity who was being managed for severe depressive