Epidemiological and Clinical Investigation of Snake Bite Cases Admitted to the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Izmir

Abstract

Objective: There are more than 3000 snake species in the world, about 30% of which are known to be venomous. Snake poisoning can cause serious mortality and morbidity. In this study, it was aimed to investigate epidemiologically and clinically the snake bite cases admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Izmir.
 Material and Methods: Patients who applied to our emergency department with the complaint of snake bite between 2012 and 2022 were included in the retrospective observational study. The data of the patients were obtained by scanning the hospital electronic database. Vital signs, laboratory values, physical examination findings and outcomes of the patients were evaluated.
 Results: Of the 52 patients, 22 (42.3%) were female, 30 (57.7%) were male, and the mean age was 48±16. It was seen that the most cases occurred in the summer season and only 1 patient died in total. Snake bite was seen on extremity in 41 (78.8%) patients while 11 (21.2%) had non-extremity bites. There was a statistically significant difference in CK value, potassium value, local edema and diffuse edema incidence between the two groups according to the bite site.
 Conclusion: Higher CK, lower potassium level and more local and diffuse edema are seen in extremity bites compared to non-extremity bites.