Treatment of a self-inflicted intracranial nail gun injury.

A 30-year-old man walked into the emergency department after a suicide attempt by firing a nail from a pneumatic nail gun directed at his left temple. He was haemodynamically stable and neurologically intact, able to recall all events and moving all extremities with a Glascow Coma Scale of 15. CT of the brain showed a 6.3 cm nail in the right frontal region without major intracerebral vessel disruption. He was taken to the operating room for left temporal wound washout, debridement of gross contamination and closure with titanium cranial fixation plate. The foreign body was not accessible on initial surgical intervention and was left in place to define anatomy and plan for subsequent removal. Thin slice CT images were used to create 3D reconstructions to facilitate stereotactic navigation and foreign body removal via right craniotomy the following day. The patient tolerated the procedures well and recovered with full neurological function.

Successful penile replantation after complete amputation and 23 hours ischaemia time: the first in reported literature.

Complete penile amputation is a rare and poorly documented injury with severe physical and psychosocial implications. Our institution presents a case of successful penile replantation following 23 hours of ischaemia time in a 34-year-old man with a history of paranoid schizophrenia who sustained a complete penile amputation during an act of deliberate self-harm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest documented ischaemia time for a successful penile replant in literature. The patient was able to achieve a full erection as early as 6 weeks postoperatively. Skin necrosis was noted as a common complication and this was successfully managed with debridement and skin grafting. Penile amputation injuries should be managed in a specialist centre with urological and plastic surgeons with expertise in microsurgical reconstruction. Penile replantation should be attempted, even if ischaemia time is prolonged, despite lower success rates given the significance of the injury to an individual.

[Male genital self-mutilation: A case series]. / Automutilation des organes génitaux externes chez l'homme.

INTRODUCTION: Genital self-mutilation is a rare phenomenon that often occurs on a psychotic ground. Its diagnosis is clinical and its management involves a coordinated action of urologists and psychiatrists. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We report a retrospective monocentric series of 14 cases of genital self-mutilation (penis and testicles), collected from January 2000 to May 2019. In addition to psychiatric care and according to the type of lesions, we performed implantations of penis, cutaneous urethrostomies, hemostatic ligature of spermatic cord, ablation of rings. The implantations of the penis were done without microscope or magnifying glass and on the basis only of an end-to-end anastomosis of the erectile bodies and the urethra. Sexual abstinence was indicated for 6weeks. RESULTS: The average age of our patients was 31.5years. We have identified ten cases of penis section including two incomplete, two cases of strangulation of penis by a metal ring, an isolated wound of the glans and three cases of testicular ablation, two of which were associated with a section of penis. We performed as first line: 5 penis reimplantation, 5 cutaneous urethrostomy, 2 ablation of strangulation rings and 3 hemostatic ligature of the spermatic cord. Three reimplanted patients had fairly satisfactory immediate operating suites: 2 patients healed well with good penile sensitivities, while one patient presented with a loss of penile skin sensitivity. The other two patients, on the other hand, presented on D1 a necrosis of the reimplanted stump, requiring an amputation and cutaneous urethrostomy. Also, necrosis of the strangulated penis was observed in one case and also required a second operating time with an amputation of the necrotic penis and a cutaneous urethrostomy. One patient died on D7 by autolysis. From a distance, the sexual and urinary function of reimplanted patients could not be assessed because they were lost to follow-up. Only a few patients who received a skin urethrostomy were seen at follow-up consultations. And with an average follow-up of 3years, no functional urinary disorder was found in them. CONCLUSION: The management of genital self-harm requires coordination between urologist and psychiatrist. With our conditions the results are mixed and penile reimplantation should ideally be done under a microscope with an experienced surgeon. However, it can be attempted as long as possible, with the possibility of making an urethrostomy in the second time in case of failure. The pillar of care for these patients, however, lies in a good psychiatric balance because they are not immune to recurrence or autolysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Post-surgical evisceration with or without autocannibalism in 333 dogs-a survey of veterinarians.

Background: Few reports of post-surgical evisceration, with or without autocannibalism, in dogs exist. Aims: To collect a large case series of dogs experiencing post-surgical evisceration, with or without autocannibalism. Methods: We surveyed practicing veterinarians who were members of the Veterinary Information Network about their experiences with post-surgical evisceration in dogs, variably accompanied by autocannibalism (ingestion of eviscerated organs or tissues). Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: We identified 333 cases with sufficient information for analysis: 221 with evisceration and autocannibalism, and 112 with just evisceration. Most cases occurred following surgery for reproductive reasons (desexing, cesarean section, and pyometra). Most occurred in young adult or adult dogs. Most dogs received analgesia perioperatively had routine closure (simple interrupted or simple continuous muscle layer closure) and most did not wear an E-collar post-surgically. Most dogs eviscerated within 3 days of the initial surgery. Approximately 64% underwent surgical repair and survived long-term without complications, more frequently if the evisceration was not accompanied by autocannibalism. Conclusion: Our study suggests that post-surgical evisceration and autocannibalism can generally be successfully managed by practitioners and do not confer a uniformly poor outcome for the dog.

Successful replantation of amputated penis with adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Successful penile replantations are rarely reported in the literature and are associated with significant complications. We present a case of a patient who auto-amputated his penis. Delayed microvascular replantation was performed approximately 14 hours following injury. He was treated with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor postoperatively, and adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy was started 58 hours after replantation; 20 treatments at 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA), twice daily for eight days, followed by once daily for four days. Perfusion of the replanted penis was serially assessed using fluorescent angiography. With some additional surgical procedures including a split- thickness skin graft to the shaft due to skin necrosis he has made a complete recovery with return of normal urinary and sexual function. This unusual case illustrates the potential benefit of HBO2 therapy in preserving viability of a severed body part. Fluorescent angiography may have potential utility in monitoring efficacy of HBO2.

Referral of patients to plastic surgeons following self-harm: Opportunities for suicide prevention.

Self-harm is a common source of referral to plastic and hand surgery services. Appropriate management of these patients is complex and includes the need for close liaison with mental health services. Self-harm is the single biggest risk factor for completed suicide, thereby increasing the risk by a factor of 66.1 This study aimed to analyse the clinical pathway and demographics of patients referred to plastic surgeons following self-harm. This 6-year retrospective series included patients referred to plastic surgeons following self-harm within the Galway University Hospital group. Patients were identified through the Hospital inpatient enquiry system, cross-referenced with data from the National Suicide Research Foundation. Data collected included demographics, psychiatric history, details of self-harm injury, admission pathway and operative intervention. Forty-nine patients were referred to plastic surgery services during the study period, accounting for 61 individual presentations. The male-to-female ratio was 26 (53%) to 23 (47%). Mean age was 40 years (range 21-95 years). Alcohol or illicit substance use was recorded in 17 of 61 (28%) presentations. Mortality from suicide occurred in 4 patients (8%). Mental health assessment was not carried out in 9 presentations (15%). Documentation of need for close or one-to-one observation was made in 11 cases (20%) and was not referred to in 43 cases (83%) following mental health assessment. This study demonstrates significant diversity in the management of this vulnerable patient group and may inform development of referral pathways to improve the safety of transfer, surgical admission and discharge of patients following self-harm, in consultation with mental health services.

Self-insertion of foreign bodies into the orbit and periocular tissue.

We describe six patients with 12 separate episodes of self-inflicted periocular foreign body injuries, which presented to our institution recently. All patients were male, relatively young (mean 28.5 years old), incarcerated, and had significant underlying psychiatric conditions. The subjects had inserted staples (6), paperclips (2), or other small metallic wire segments (4) into the periocular region. Most cases (9/12) involved concurrent self-inflicted injury to other body parts. Ten cases involved foreign bodies inserted through the palpebral conjunctiva into the upper eyelid, while two cases involved insertion into the orbit. Identification and surgical retrieval of foreign bodies was successful in most cases (9/11) but was not attempted in one case. Self-inflicted periocular injuries, while rare, are challenging cases for which the ophthalmologist should be prepared. A multidisciplinary approach, including psychiatric assessment and treatment, is important for optimal care.

Self-inflicted enucleations: Clinical features of seven cases.

We report the clinical presentation, radiography, and management outcomes of autoenucleations (AE). Charts of 7 patients evaluated at 4 institutions with AE were reviewed. Four males and three females had a mean age of 50 years (range 26-72 years). The etiologies were psychosis secondary to underlying mental illness (6, 88%) and substance use (1, 12%), and the mechanism was largely blunt digital injury (6, 88%). Three (43%) AE patients suffered bilateral enucleations. Common concomitant injuries included eyelid lacerations (5, 71%) and optic nerve avulsion (3, 43%). Radiography was utilized for all of the study patients with computed tomography as the most common (5, 71%), followed by ultrasound (1, 14%), and magnetic resonance imaging with CT angiography (1, 14). Orbital exploration was performed in the management of all patients. Orbital implants were placed in 4 (57%) patients. Patients were followed for a mean of 1.9 months (range 1-4 months). Autoenucleation affects both genders and is commonly associated with eyelid lacerations, optic nerve avulsion, and intracranial hemorrhage. The association with intracranial hemorrhage is consistent with prior reports of internal carotid artery injury following shearing of the optic nerve. Autoenucleation cases were seen secondary to mental or substance induced psychosis, and these patients may be at risk for future injuries such as AE of the contralateral globe. The common causes for psychosis reported our patient group include schizophrenia, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and methamphetamine-induced psychosis, which corroborates with similar cases in the literature. Two of three cases of bilateral AE suffered sequential AE where the contralateral globe was enucleated days apart. All patients suffering AE should have full medical, psychiatric, neurologic, and radiologic evaluation and monitoring while under care. When evaluating patients with obvious ocular injury, accompanying intracranial injuries should be ruled out in a timely fashion before pursuing surgical intervention.

Penile Replantation: A Retrospective Analysis of Outcomes and Complications.

Purpose Penile replantation is an uncommonly performed procedure, which can alleviate physical and psychosocial sequelae of penile amputation. This study critically appraises the current literature on penile replantation. Methods A comprehensive literature search of the Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases was conducted with multiple search terms related to penile replantation. Data on outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction were collected. Results A total of 74 articles met inclusion criteria. One hundred and six patients underwent penile replantation, but outcome, complication, and satisfaction data were not standardized across all patients. Penile amputation most often resulted from self-mutilation or trauma. The majority were complete amputations (74.8%). Full sensation was maintained in 68.4% of patients. Most reported adequate urinary function (97.4%) and normal erection (77.5%). Skin necrosis (54.8%) and venous congestion (20.2%) were the most common complications. Urethral stricture (11.0%) and fistula (6.6%) were common urethral complications. Most (91.6%) patients reported overall satisfaction although there was a lack of patient-reported outcomes. Multivariate analysis suggested that complete amputation (ß = 3.15, 95% CI 0.41-5.89, p = 0.024), anastomosis of the superficial dorsal artery (ß = 9.88, 95% CI 0.74-19.02, p = 0.034), and increasing number of nerves coapted (ß = 1.75, 95% CI 0.11-3.38, p = 0.036) were associated with favorable sexual, urinary, and sensation outcomes. Increasing number of vessels anastomosed (ß = -3.74, 95% CI -7.15 to -0.32, p = 0.032) was associated with unfavorable outcomes. Conclusion Although penile replantation is associated with complications, it has a high rate of satisfaction and efficacy. Coaptation of multiple nerves and anastomosis of the superficial dorsal artery should be completed.

[The phenomenon of covert self-mutilation in the surgical routine]. / Das Phänomen der heimlichen Automutilation im chirurgischen Alltag.

Factitious disorders are conditions which are unknown to many physicians but have a prevalence of 1-5 % in outpatient departments and hospitals. In order to avoid prolonged and complicated (false) treatment in surgery this article gives a review of the definition, epidemiology and pathogenesis of factitious disorders as well as clinical symptoms and therapy options. A focus is placed on the identification of patients, treatment strategies and the prevention of malpractice. Additionally, clinical features of the disorder are illustrated with the description of some characteristic cases.

Primary Nasal Reconstruction in Self-Inflicted Nasal Injury.

Self-inflicted injury of the nose is extremely rare. It may be associated with severe psychopathology and suicidal ideation. The authors report a case of a 24-year-old man, who presented with soft-tissue loss over both the alae of his nose. He had cut off the alar rims with an ordinary razor blade. He was overtly concerned about his nose being excessively broad and fat. A diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder with nonsuicidal self-injury was made. Patient was observed during 72 hours in hospital with psychiatric support and local dressings. The authors undertook primary nasal reconstruction with nasolabial flaps on both sides for coverage. In conclusion, self-inflicted nasal injury mandates a judicious balancing of psychiatric support and surgical reconstruction. This can prevent untoward sequelae including further self-harm and suicide.

Genital self-mutilation. Case report and bibliographic review.

OBJECTIVE: To report a very uncommon case of penile open wound made by self-mutilation in a 51-year-old man, and to perform a bibliographic review. METHODS: 51-year-old man presenting at the Emergency Department under Police guard after self-cutting his penis while he was urinating, presenting an almost complete circular section that required immediate surgical repair. RESULTS: Early surgical management showed the section of almost the whole penile circumference, from ventral to dorsal, including urethra and both cavernous bodies, respecting only the dorsal vascular penile complex. We performed a primary anastomosis of the damaged structures and careful haemostasis of the penis. CONCLUSIONS: Open traumas to the penis usually require an urgent surgical examination, being mandatory to try a primary reconstruction if the global clinical situation allows it. Cosmetic and functional postoperative results advise this attitude.

Automutilación genital. Presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Genital self-mutilation. Case report and bibliographic review

OBJETIVO: Presentar un caso clínico muy poco frecuente de herida abierta del pene producida por automutilación, así como revisar la literatura principal existente sobre este tipo de traumatismo infrecuente.MÉTODO: Varón de 51 años de edad que acude al Servicio de Urgencias custodiado por el Cuerpo Nacional de Policía tras haberse autoinfringido un corte en el pene mientras orinaba, que le causó una sección circunferencial del pene casi completa, y que requirió revisión quirúrgica urgente. RESULTADO: La intervención quirúrgica puso de manifiesto la sección de prácticamente toda la circunferencia peneana, de ventral a dorsal, incluyendo uretra y ambos cuerpos cavernosos y respetando tan sólo el complejo vascular dorsal del pene. En dicho acto se procedió a la anastomosis primaria de las estructuras seccionadas y a la hemostasia cuidadosa de los vasos sangrantes.CONCLUSIONES: Las heridas abiertas del pene requieren generalmente revisión quirúrgica urgente, debiendo intentarse la reconstrucción primaria si la situación clínica lo permite, dados los buenos resultados estéticos y funcionales logrados tras la cirugía (AU)

OBJECTIVE: To report a very uncommon case of penile auto-mutilation in a 51-year-old man, self-made with a biting object.METHODS: 51-year-old man presenting at the Emergency Department guarded by the Police after auto-cutting his penile while he was urinating, causing him an almost complete circular section that required immediate surgical management.RESULTS: early surgical management showed the section of almost the whole penile circumference, from ventral to dorsal, including the urethra and both cavernous bodies, respecting only dorsal vascular penile complex. We performed a primary anastomosis of damaged structures and carefully haemostasis of the penis.CONCLUSIONS: open traumas to the penis usually require an urgent surgical examination, being mandatory to try a primary reconstruction if global clinical situation allows it. Cosmetic and functional postoperative results advise this attitude (AU)