Management of Poisonous Snake Bites: Analysis of 29 Cases

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective study is to provide contribution for management of the poisonous snake bites by comparison results of this study with the literature data.

Patients and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of 40 patients who presented due to snake bites. 29 patients were included in this study. Patients’ age, sex, month of admission, duration of follow-up in the emergency room, laboratory outcomes, the regions of snake bite, number of the bites, local and systemic symptoms, and treatment received were assessed. Patients aged under 18 years were excluded from the study. Also patients were excluded if the snakes were not seen after the patients were bitten or if they developed no local or systemic symptoms within four hours after the bite. In addition, patients in whom adequate data could not be obtained were also excluded from the study.

Results: Out of the 29 patients included in this study, 15 (51.7%) were females. When the patients were examined according to local and systemic findings; local symptoms were observed in 18 patients (62.1%) and systemic symptoms in 11 patients (37.9%). There was a positive correlation between elevated ALP and diffuse edema in the bite area and hypotension findings. When durations of hospitalization were analyzed, the mean duration of hospitalization was 2.3±1.5 days.

Conclusion: We believe that, symptomatic and supportive treatment could be sufficient in majority of the patients with snake bites in our region, and a low dose antiserum therapy would be reasonable when antiserum is needed.