Evaluation of snake bites at an emergency department

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the epidemiology, clinical stage, treatment modality, complications and prognosis of cases presenting to the emergency department with a complaint of snakebite. Snakebite patients admitted to the emergency department between January 2012 and January 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. We retrieved epidemiological-demographic data of patients, procedures carried out in the emergency room, biochemical tests, final outcomes of inpatients, treatments administered during hospitalization, and complications. A total of 123 snakebite cases were detected in the emergency department medical records from this period. 16 cases were excluded from the study, and the remaining 107 cases were examined retrospectively. 15.9% (n=17) of snakebite cases were categorized as stage 0. Local symptoms were observed in all stages, except for five patients; systemic complications were observed only in advanced stages. The most common local complication was pain (n=99, 91.6%), while the systemic complication rate was 8.4% (n=9)Antivenom therapy was not administered to 14 (13.1%) patients, but it was applied to a total of 93 (86.9%) patients, with 74 (69.9%) receiving it in our center and 19 (17.8%) in external health centers. Antibiotherapy was administered to 93 (96.6%) of the patients, immobilization to 42 (39.3%), erythrocyte suspension to 1 (0.9%), fresh frozen plasma to 2 (1.8%), and 1 (0.9%) fasciotomy. No adverse outcomes were observed at 6-month or 1-year follow-up. Complications should be evaluated based on the type of toxin and clinical stage, and then appropriate treatment should be commenced without any delay. This approach should reduce or prevent the development of complications.