Clinical Aspects and Emergent Management of Snake Bites Presented to Emergency Department

Abstract

Evaluating the epidemiologic characteristics and management of snake bites presenting to emergency departments. Material and Method: In this retrospective study 74 cases of snakebites admitted to Emergency Department of Diyarbakir Training and Research Hospital between 2008 and 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Fourty-six (62.2%) of patients were male and 28 (37.8%) were female. Mean age of the study population was 34.85 +/- 19.17 (min 7-max 80) years. Most of the snakebites occurred between 18.00 to 06.00 hours and at home (73%). 79.7% of snake bites occurred to upper extremities. %93 of cases had intravenous administration of antivenin (one dose). Neither none of the patients needed recurrent administration. Discussion: Snake bites are still a major public health problem especially in rural areas. Particularly emergency care physicians should be adequately capable and sophisticated in multidisciplinary management of snake bites.