A Study of Open Injuries to the Larynx in Suicide Attempts

Abstract

We discussed five cases of open injuries to the larynx with sharp instruments in suicide attempts.
In these cases, (1) laryngoplasty was performed early. (2) Tracheostomy was done at the lower part of the injury to keep the airway open. (3) The wound was observed carefully. And (4) The mucosa of the larynx was sutured firmly so as not to yield a raw surface with a synthetic monofilament, whether absorptive or not. Sometimes, the suture filament penetrated in the lumen of the larynx without any problem.
The prognosis for the larynx in these cases was generally good. The risk of permanent laryngeal palsy was supposed to be little.
However, all the patients might have psychiatric disease, i. e. schizophrenia or depression. We must consider their psychiatric background.