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Sub-decapitation in suicidal chainsaw injury: report of a rare case and operative management

  • Case Report - Spine trauma
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Abstract

Chainsaw accidents are severe injuries, mostly work-related and concerning upper or lower extremities. Few suicidal chainsaw injuries are reported, all of them fatal. We report the case of a 23-year-old man who attempted suicide by sub-decapitation with a chainsaw, its successful (peri-) operative management, and clinical course along with a discussion of the contemporary management and body of evidence of such lesions. Chainsaw injuries are severe traumas. Stepwise surgery with maximal functional reconstruction is safe and optimal clinical outcome can be achieved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    P. Krauss, V. M. Butenschoen, B. Meyer & C. Negwer

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  1. P. Krauss
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  2. V. M. Butenschoen
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  3. B. Meyer
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  4. C. Negwer
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Contributions

All authors confirm that the manuscript and the order of the listed authors have been read and approved by all named authors. P.K., V.M.B., and C.N. performed surgery; P.K., V.M.B., B.M., and C.N. were responsible for clinical care. P.K. wrote the manuscript with input from all authors.

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Correspondence to P. Krauss.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Spine trauma

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Krauss, P., Butenschoen, V.M., Meyer, B. et al. Sub-decapitation in suicidal chainsaw injury: report of a rare case and operative management. Acta Neurochir 162, 2537–2540 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-020-04413-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-020-04413-7

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