Abstract :
Background: Survival period in hanging is variable, which can be few seconds to few minutes. That is why it is said that ‘no retreat from suicide once launched by hanging. Prompt rescue to the patient of hanging injury can save their life. Victims succumb to death in later stage due to complications after certain period of survival which called as delayed hanging death.
Aim: To find out the causes of death those who succumbs to death surviving certain time period after hanging injury.
Material and Methods: Total 8 cases of death in hanging which were delayed has been studied at Assam Medical College & Hospital from 1st November 2014 to 31st October 2015. Data are collected from Inquest reports, dead body challan, hospital case sheets, interview from family members and proper autopsy examination.
Result: Out of 8 cases male: female ratio is 1:1, age ranges from 15 to 50 years, 5 partial and 3 complete suspensions. Survival period ranges from 1 day to 15 days. 4 cases died due to hypoxic encephalopathy with pulmonary edema, followed by pulmonary edema in 2 cases, hypoxic encephalopathy with pneumonia and pneumonia 1 each.
Conclusion: Survival period is variable in attempted hanging. In spite of medical advancement, still no standard framework for hanging injury patient which can be used to say patient is ‘out of danger’.
Keyword :
Hanging, Near Hanging, Delayed Hanging Death, Pulmonary Edema