Management of suicidal cut throat injuries in a developing nation: three case reports

INTRODUCTION Suicidal cut throat injuries are either unreported or fortunately rare in our country. The management of these injuries requires a multi-disciplinary approach. CASE PRESENTATIONS This paper presents our experiences with managing three unemployed adult Nigerian males - two of Hausa ethnicity and one from the Tiv ethnic group presenting with cut throat injuries following suicidal attempts. CONCLUSION The purpose of these reports is to emphasize that suicidal cut throat injuries do occur in our environment and there is a need for the collaboration of the otorhinolaryngologist, anesthesiologist and psychiatrist in the effective management of these patients. We recommend the socioeconomic improvement of individuals as a way of reducing the incidence of these injuries as unemployment was cited as a motivating factor for suicide in our patients. Ways must also be found to identify the many people in society without mental disorders who are at risk of suicidal behaviors.