A comparison of fatal with non-fatal knife injuries in Edinburgh

Assault using a knife is a common problem in the United Kingdom. Between Fe bruary 1992 and December 1996, 120 individuals died or received hospital tr eatment in Edinburgh after being assaulted with a knife. Twenty individuals (17%) died as a result of their injuries. Comparison of the survivors with non-survivors revealed both groups to have similar age and sex distributio ns, but those who died had significantly more severe injuries when scored a ccording to the Abbreviated Injury Scale. Eight individuals died of unsurvi vable chest injuries at the scene of the attack and of the remainder, only five reached hospital with signs of life. Analysis of hospital treatment us ing TRISS methodology revealed there to be two unexpected survivors and no unexpected deaths. The risk of death appears to depend mostly upon injuries sustained and also to a lesser extent upon other factors such as alcohol c onsumption and the presence of a bystander capable and willing to request e mergency medical assistance. There does not appear to be much potential to save lives by improving hospital treatment for those assaulted with a knife in Edinburgh. Instead, greater focus needs to be placed upon rapid transfe r to hospital and upon restricting the possession and use of knives. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.