Vertical deceleration injuries: a comparative study of the injury patterns of 101 patients after accidental and intentional high falls

doi:10.1016/S0020-1383(96)00083-6

Injury

Volume 27, Issue 9, November 1996, Pages 655-659

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-1383(96)00083-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

We analysed the pattern of injury of 101 adult patients who were treated in our Trauma Center after a fall from an average height of 7.2 m between 1987 and 1990. In 62 patients the fall was accidental, and 39 jumped with suicidal intent. The most common injuries were fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine (83.0 per cent) especially of the thoracolumbar junction. The pattern of limb injuries is towards a significant preference of the metaphyseal and epiphyseal parts of the bones of the distal joints (wrist, elbow, ankle, subtalar). Fractures of the diaphyseal areas and the proximal joints (shoulder, humerus, hip, femur) were rare. The incidence of thoracic (20.8 per cent) and pelvic injuries (30.0 per cent) was relatively lower. Blunt abdominal injury (5.9 per cent) was rare after a fall from a great height. Head injuries occurred in only 27 per cent of our patients who all survived their transport to hospital. There is no significant difference in injury patterns between deliberate and accidental falls, but there is a higher number of isolated injuries in all patients after unsuccessful suicidal jumps.

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PaperVertical deceleration injuries: a comparative study of the injury patterns of 101 patients after accidental and intentional high falls

Abstract

Homicide, suicide, motor vehicle crash, and fall mortality: United States' experience in comparative perspective

Am J Public Health

An analysis of 161 falls from a height: the ‘Jumper Syndrome’

J Trauma

Unusual blast colonic injury due to a fall

Trop Gastroenterol

Autokabalesis: a study of intentional vertical deceleration injuries

Injury

Injuries in attempted suicide by jumping from a height

Injury

An analysis of accidental free falls from a height: the ‘spring break’ syndrome

J Trauma

Transverse fracture of the upper sacrum. Suicidal jumper's fracture

Spine

Severity of free fall injury

Injury

Paper
Vertical deceleration injuries: a comparative study of the injury patterns of 101 patients after accidental and intentional high falls