@article{ref1,
title="Are self-inflicted stab wounds less severe than assaults? Analysis of injury and severity by intent",
journal="Journal of surgical research",
year="2021",
author="Radow, Brandon and Flores, Carmen E. and McNickle, Allison G. and Mock, Kyle and Chestovich, Paul J. and Fraser, Douglas R. and Kuhls, Deborah A. and Velez, Katie",
volume="261",
number="",
pages="33-38",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Although there is evidence that self-inflicted abdominal stab wounds are less severe than those from assault, it is unclear if this is true in other anatomic  regions. This study compares severity and injury pattern between self-inflicted stab  wounds (SISWs) and wounds from assault (ASW). <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stab wounds  from our level I trauma registry from 2013 to 2018 were reviewed. Data included age,  gender, self-inflicted versus assault, psychiatric or substance use history,  anatomic location, operative intervention, injury severity, length of stay, and  outcomes. <br><br>RESULTS: Over the study period, 1390 patients were identified. History of  psychiatric diagnoses or previous suicide attempts was more frequent in SISWs (47%  versus 6.5%, P < 0.01; 35% versus 0.4%, P < 0.01). SISWs had a higher incidence of  wounds to the neck and abdomen (44% versus 11%, P < 0.01; and 34% versus 26%,  P = 0.02). Overall, injuries from ASW had a higher injury severity score, but more  procedures were performed on SISWs (46% versus 34%, P < 0.01). SISWs to the neck  were more likely to undergo procedures (26% versus 15%, P = 0.04). Median hospital  charges were higher in patients with SISWs ($58.6 K versus $39.4 K, P < 0.01). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: SISWs have a distinct pattern of injuries, more commonly to the neck  and abdomen, when compared with injuries resulting from ASW. The patients with SISWs  have a higher rate of procedures, longer length of stay, and higher hospital charges  despite low injury severity overall.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-4804",
doi="10.1016/j.jss.2020.12.012",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2020.12.012"
}