La prise en charge des suicides par précipitation en traumatologie

Abstract

Through this work, epidemiology and psychopathology of suicide by jumping will be reminded; the role of the traumatologist surgeon will be demonstrated. We report a retrospective study series of 15 suicides by jumping allowing complex musculoskeletal trauma collected between 2004 and 2007. All patients were primosuicidants, including 10 women and 5 men. The average age for men is 26.5 years (24-34 years) and women 40.7 years (17-45 years). The lesional assessment of suicidal patients found 14 fractures of the lower limbs, 4 vertebral trauma with compression of the spinal marrow in 1 case, one fracture of pelvis, two fractures of the upper limb. None of these patients has presented visceral injuries or craniofacial trauma. 80% (n = 12) patients suffering from a psychiatric condition before crossing the suicidal act: 8 depressive disorders and 4 schizophrenia. Each suicide has undergone at least one surgical procedure. All patients had continued the psychiatric care in ambulatory. Our functional results were satisfactory without complications. We haven't any suicidal recurrence. Suicide by jumping is a public health problem. Suicide by jumping represents 5% of all suicidal modality. The trauma caused by this mode of suicide is complex and serious. Their care requires multidisciplinary collaboration. Surgical reparation allows restoring the function and mental improvement, and preventing against a relapse or recurrent suicidal act.