RELEVANT ASPECTS OF ABDOMINAL-SURGERY AFT ER A SUICIDE ATTEMPT

In this retrospective study of 24 patients who were treated at our cli nic during the last 22 years after having attempted suicide, we evalua ted aspects concerning abdominal-and transplantation surgery. There wa s a predominance of ''hard'' (70%) versus ''soft'' (30%) methods for s uicide attempt. Intra-abdominal injuries resulting from attempted suic ide by stabbing or shooting should lead to laparotomy - the prognosis is then good. Surgical treatment after intoxication, especially causti c ingestion, depends on endoscopic and clinical findings. The highly i ncreased rates of suicide in patients with end-stage renal disease can be reduced significantly by kidney transplantation. The risk of suici de after transplantation is further diminished with improved immunosup pressive treatment. Only in a few cases there is an indication for liv er transplantation in some cases of fulminant hepatic failure caused b y self-administered paracetamol overdose. Auxiliary liver transplantat ion may then be considered.