Outcomes of patients admitted for hanging injuries with decreased consciousness but without cardiac arrest.

Objective: The objective of this study is to provide appropriate treatment of patients who showed decreased mentality but did not suffer cardiac arrest (CA) from hanging injury, from reviewing the characteristics and analyzing the outcomes in such patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of victims with decreased mentality but without CA due to hanging presenting to 2 tertiary general hospitals between January 2005 and August 2011 was performed. Treatments and examinations were evaluated, and the outcomes were assessed by cerebral performance category at hospital discharge.

Results: A total of 21 patients were included, and their initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores were between 3 and 11. No one received therapeutic hypothermia, but all regained consciousness spontaneously and were discharged with cerebral performance category 1. They received only conservative treatment such as respiratory care, fever control, and inotropic use. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed no definite abnormality if the patient did not show abnormal symptom and sign.

Conclusion: Unconscious patients without CA from hanging could recover consciousness through conservative treatment.