English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: AIMS: To review the clinical features and management of patients with injuries related to the cobra bite. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Patients who attended the hospital for cobra–bite related injuries from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 were included. The data were obtained from the admission register, and snakebite case record sheets were then retrieved from the medical record section of hospital. Demographic data, time of occurrence, location of wound site, local and systemic complications, anti-venom therapy (number of vials), clinical outcome, any surgical intervention, and length of hospital stay were retrieved from the clinical records. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were recruited during the 1-year study period. Of the 18 patients with cobra bites, 14 (78 %) presented with local swelling. No patient developed severe neurotoxic symptoms. Two patients had laboratory features of haemolysis. Fourteen patients received antivenom therapy and five of them subsequently underwent surgical interventions for extensive local tissue damage and necrosis. There was no fatality. CONCLUSION: Bites from cobras result in serious local complications with extensive tissue necrosis and minimal neurotoxic symptoms. There is an apparent trend of favorable outcomes following the early administration of antivenom to patients without early signs of irreversible tissue damage. Ciprofloxacin should be used in infected wounds of cobra bite, if facilities for culture and sensitivity are not available.