In contrast, to date, nearly all reported autoerotic strangulation deaths involve men. Suicidal hangings are overwhelmingly more common among men. Varies by underlying cause Patients may present after an assault in which they were manually strangled or garroted by a ligature. Infants present after accidents in which they were caught between crib or fence slats or on objects in their environment. Attempt to determine the height of the drop in near-hanging victims because this may influence management decisions.
Assaults can result in strangulation.
Risk factors follow other types of assault, with the exception that women are more likely to be victims of strangulation than are men. Those who explore variant erotic practices occasionally experiment with hypoxia as a means of intensifying orgasm. Marquis de Sade first described this practice in his writings. Autoerotic play using a ligature or noose to produce hypoxia during masturbation can result in accidental hanging. Given the ready availability of pulse oximetry, ABCs are probably unnecessary in patients who do not require tracheal intubation.