Analysis of Penetrating Neck Injuries (PNIs) at a South London Trauma
Centre before and after the first national lockdown.
Abstract
•A 28-month retrospective review from February 2019 to April 2021 of
penetrating neck injuries (PNIs) at our trauma centre revealed a 48%
(n=25 to n=37) increase in PNIs ‘post-lockdown’ (lockdown date = 23rd
March 2020). •The aetiology of PNI changed over time, with an increase
in the proportion of Deliberate Self Harm’ (DSH) cases from 1/3 to
2/3rds of case (n=9 to n=25), an overall 177.8% increase
‘post-lockdown’. An increase in mortality was also seen with no deaths
‘pre-lockdown’, and 3 deaths ‘post-lockdown’. •‘Accidental Injuries’
(AI) increased from 4% to 10% of cases (n=1 to n=4) post lockdown,
with ‘grievous bodily harm (GBH) reducing from half to 1/5th of all
cases (n=13 to n=8), and ‘domestic violence’ from 8% of cases to no
cases post lockdown (DV) ‘post lockdown’. •‘Pre-lockdown’ 10% of DSH
patients (n=1) were noted to have a prior mental health diagnosis or
psychiatric care, ‘post-lockdown’ this increased to 61.5% (n=16) of DSH
patients. •Data from our tertiary trauma centre in London has shown a
change in aetiology, psychiatric co-morbidity and number of PNIs pre and
post lockdown.