Research Information System
Türkiye Tıp Dergisi, vol.8, no.3, pp.116-121, 2001 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Objective and Method: In this study we have evaluated the clinical symptoms, the toxic effects, the complication and the treatments of snake bite in 18 cases prospectively.
Results: Three (16.7%) of the cases were men while 15 (83.3%) were women; with mean age 41.4 (15-71 age). Twelve of the cases (66.7%) were bitten in tea-gardens while 6 of the cases (33.3%) in gardens or thickets between May-September at 10:00-12:00 or 15:00-18:00 o’clock. When the bitten area was considered, it was detected that 14 (77.8%) of the cases were bitten at a single foot, a single case (5.6%) was bitten at both feet and 3 of the cases (16.7%) had a bite at their single hand. After the bite in the first hour nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension, fainting sensation, panic and pain were reported by the patients. First admission to a health center was in 2.5 hours (0.5-18 hours) of time, 6.5 hours (1-20 hours) was the mean time for the patients to admit to our clinic. At the first admission to a health center all the patients had steroid and antihistaminic treatment. We add antivenom to 7 (38.9%) of the cases and antibiotic to 14 (77.8%) of the cases for cellulites or throbophletis. Tetanus immunization were given in 15 (83.3%) of the cases. Ten (55.6%) of the cases progressively developed pitosis. All of the cases recovered without sequels within 2-10 days (mean: 4 days).
Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first report about snake bite in our country. In this report the kinds of the snakes in our country and the treatments of snake bite were discussed. It has been emphasized that antivenom that we have today might be insufficient for the treatment.
Key Words: Snake bite, antivenom