Retrospective Analysis of the Demographic and Clinical Features of Snake Bites Followed in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective Cases of poisoning due to snake bite are a medical condition that requires an emergency treatment approach, which creates serious health problems that can be seen in our country and all over the world. In the Eastern Anatolia Region, poisoning cases due to the bites of viper snakes, especially from the Viperidae family, are frequently seen. The aim of this study is to examine the bite sites, clinical stages, antivenom needs and doses, changes in blood biochemistry, prognostic characteristics of patients treated in our intensive care unit for snake bites in our region, and to present our regional experience with snake bites. Material and Methods Our study included 44 patients who were treated in the intensive care clinic with the complaint of snake bite between August 1, 2018 and August 1, 2021. Symptoms, bite sites, clinical stages, need and doses of antivenom, length of hospital stay, changes in blood biochemistry and mortality of these patients who were exposed to snake bites were retrospectively investigated. Results A total of 44 patients, 13 female (29.55%) and 31 male (70.45%), aged between 18-72 years, who were followed up due to snake bites, were included in the study. In our study, 1 (2.27%) patients in Stage 0, 18 (40.90%) in Stage 1, 21 (47.7%) in Stage 2 and 4 (9.09%) patients in Stage 3 it was found that he was followed up due to snake bite. While total antivenom (4.33±2.18) vials were given to 10 intoxication cases with stage (0-1), vials of total antivenom were given to 25 (7.65±3.03) intoxication cases with stage (2-3). Conclusion We believe that in addition to antivenom treatment in sufficient doses and in an early time, the first correct intervention to snake bite can prevent problems that may develop after poisoning.