Swallowing Management in Self-Inflicted Cutthroat Injury and Longstanding Substance Abuse: A Case Study
Suman S Penwal, Bhumi A Gaikwad and Jyoti S Mohite
Background: Suicide is the leading cause of death. Self-inflicted cutthroat injury although rare but is one of the ways for attempting suicide. The cutthroat injury lacerates the major blood artery, soft tissue, cartilage and nerve supply in the neck region. Additionally, substance abuse is found to reduce psychological and cognitive flexibility that induces suicidal tendencies.Methods: The current case study presents the holistic management of voice and swallowing difficulties faced by a 25-year-old man with a cutthroat injury and a history of substance abuse.Results: The client could manage foods of all consistencies without any difficulty. He also had shown improvement in voice quality, post-therapy. Conclusion: The article highlights the recovery of impaired swallowing and voice function in the case of dual trauma caused by cut-throat injury and substance abuse.