Our Clinical Experiences in Snake Bites

In this study, we evaluate 25 cases who were admitted to the emergency service and transferred to the intensive care unit subsequently due to snakebite, prospectively. Clinical courses, toxic effects, complications and treatment approaches were aimed to be presented. Among the patients, 16 were fema...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Demet Altun, Dilek Altun, Betül Ayaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Galenos Yayinevi 2016-12-01
Series:Türk Yoğun Bakim Derneği Dergisi
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.yogunbakimderg.com/article_12390/Our-Clinical-Experiences-In-Snake-Bites
_version_ 1797913229638238208
author Demet Altun
Dilek Altun
Betül Ayaz
author_facet Demet Altun
Dilek Altun
Betül Ayaz
author_sort Demet Altun
collection DOAJ
description In this study, we evaluate 25 cases who were admitted to the emergency service and transferred to the intensive care unit subsequently due to snakebite, prospectively. Clinical courses, toxic effects, complications and treatment approaches were aimed to be presented. Among the patients, 16 were female and 9 were male; the mean age was 42.1 (17-74 years). It was determined that all the cases were admitted to the hospital during working in the field in Eastern Anatolia Region, between the months of May and June, and between the hours of 15:00 to 18:00. When the cases were considered in terms of bitten body part, 15 were bitten from upper extremity and 10 were bitten from lower extremity. Within an hour the patients were admitted to a health facility with the complaints of nausea, pain, numbness, swelling and redness, and patients were transferred to emergency unit approximately within 1 hour (0.5 to 2 hours) following the first intervention. Tetanus immunization is administered in all cases as the first intervention. Antivenom was administered to the 9 (36%) of the patients in whom steroid, antihistamine and prophylactic antibiotic therapy was given in the intensive care unit. Under the control of infection clinic, antibiotic therapy was initiated to 13 (52%) patients in who cellulitis, abscess, lymphedema and compartment syndrome were developed. Healing was observed approximately within 4 days (2-6 days) and recovery was observed in all the cases. Patients admitted due to snake bites should be followed closely for at least 6 to 8 hours. According to the patient’s clinical condition and laboratory test results, early intervention therapy should be regulated and antivenom therapy should be administered in the presence of systemic symptoms.
first_indexed 2024-04-10T12:08:35Z
format Article
id doaj.art-e89046233239457d820d6b127f92b226
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2146-6416
2147-267X
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-10T12:08:35Z
publishDate 2016-12-01
publisher Galenos Yayinevi
record_format Article
series Türk Yoğun Bakim Derneği Dergisi
spelling doaj.art-e89046233239457d820d6b127f92b2262023-02-15T16:16:07ZengGalenos YayineviTürk Yoğun Bakim Derneği Dergisi2146-64162147-267X2016-12-0114310010410.4274/tybdd.74046Our Clinical Experiences in Snake BitesDemet Altun0Dilek Altun1Betül Ayaz2İstanbul Üniversitesi İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi, Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, TürkiyeBaşkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, TürkiyeEyüp Devlet Hastanesi, Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon Kliniği, İstanbul, TürkiyeIn this study, we evaluate 25 cases who were admitted to the emergency service and transferred to the intensive care unit subsequently due to snakebite, prospectively. Clinical courses, toxic effects, complications and treatment approaches were aimed to be presented. Among the patients, 16 were female and 9 were male; the mean age was 42.1 (17-74 years). It was determined that all the cases were admitted to the hospital during working in the field in Eastern Anatolia Region, between the months of May and June, and between the hours of 15:00 to 18:00. When the cases were considered in terms of bitten body part, 15 were bitten from upper extremity and 10 were bitten from lower extremity. Within an hour the patients were admitted to a health facility with the complaints of nausea, pain, numbness, swelling and redness, and patients were transferred to emergency unit approximately within 1 hour (0.5 to 2 hours) following the first intervention. Tetanus immunization is administered in all cases as the first intervention. Antivenom was administered to the 9 (36%) of the patients in whom steroid, antihistamine and prophylactic antibiotic therapy was given in the intensive care unit. Under the control of infection clinic, antibiotic therapy was initiated to 13 (52%) patients in who cellulitis, abscess, lymphedema and compartment syndrome were developed. Healing was observed approximately within 4 days (2-6 days) and recovery was observed in all the cases. Patients admitted due to snake bites should be followed closely for at least 6 to 8 hours. According to the patient’s clinical condition and laboratory test results, early intervention therapy should be regulated and antivenom therapy should be administered in the presence of systemic symptoms.http://www.yogunbakimderg.com/article_12390/Our-Clinical-Experiences-In-Snake-BitesAntivenom therapyintensive caresnake bite
spellingShingle Demet Altun
Dilek Altun
Betül Ayaz
Our Clinical Experiences in Snake Bites
Türk Yoğun Bakim Derneği Dergisi
Antivenom therapy
intensive care
snake bite
title Our Clinical Experiences in Snake Bites
title_full Our Clinical Experiences in Snake Bites
title_fullStr Our Clinical Experiences in Snake Bites
title_full_unstemmed Our Clinical Experiences in Snake Bites
title_short Our Clinical Experiences in Snake Bites
title_sort our clinical experiences in snake bites
topic Antivenom therapy
intensive care
snake bite
url http://www.yogunbakimderg.com/article_12390/Our-Clinical-Experiences-In-Snake-Bites
work_keys_str_mv AT demetaltun ourclinicalexperiencesinsnakebites
AT dilekaltun ourclinicalexperiencesinsnakebites
AT betulayaz ourclinicalexperiencesinsnakebites