2005 suplement 1

Back

Volume 14, suplement 1

Case report

Self-amputation of a hand - a drastic case of self-mutilation in a psychotic patient

PIOTR BARANOWSKI1, TOMASZ PAWŁOWSKI1, JERZY JABŁECKI2
1. Katedra i Klinika Psychiatrii Akademii Medycznej we Wrocławiu
2. Ośrodka Replantacji Kończyn, Mikrochirurgii, Chirurgii Ręki i Chirurgii Ogólnej w Trzebnicy
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii 2005; 14 (supl. 1/20): 134-106
Keywords: self-mutilation, self-amputation, psychosis, limb replantation

Abstract

Objective. Self-amputation is a drastic type of self-mutilation seldom undertaken by the mentally ill. Efficiency of surgical treatment depends to a large extent on the patient 's mental state.

Case. The paper reports the treatment of a female patient who self-amputated her left hand under the influence of auditory hallucinations.

Commentary. Psychotic symptoms that contributed to her self-mutilation had no significant effect either on the surgical management of this case or on effects of her rehabilitation. Since a long-term treatment ofself-amputees at the surgery department is necessary, is seems that the staff members should have some training in rudiments ofpsychiatry.

Address for correspondence:
Dr Piotr Baranowski, Klinika Psychiatrii Akademii Medycznej, ul Pasteura 10, 50-367 Wrocław, e-mail: pbaranow@dilnet.wroc.pl