Injuries in attempted suicide by jumping from a height.

This study was undertaken to investigate the pattern of injuries and the management of 28 patients who attempted suicide by jumping from a height. Most of the patients had serious psychiatric disorders. All but two of the patients sustained multiple injuries. The most common injury patterns were fractures of the spine and lower extremities. It was concluded that, in addition to urgent orthopaedic and surgical care, early psychiatric assessment and therapy with transfer to a psychiatric department as soon as possible facilitates the recovery and rehabilitation of these patients.