ABSTRACT
Cobra bite is the second commonest poisonous snake bite in Myanmar. This descriptive study includes definite cobra bite patients (n=10) admitted to Thingangyun Sanpya Hospital from May 1999 to January 2000. their ages ranged from 5 years to 38 years; 70 per cent were bitten in South Dagon. 40 per cent had severe local reactions requiring wound debridement and skin grafting; 10 per cent had digital amputation. All patients received antivenom and 80 per cent received prostigmine and atropine; 9 patients survived; 30 per cent required assisted ventilation. One patient, who received antisnake venom 100ml within 20 minutes, died after 30 hours on respirator. although antisnake venom and respirator are useful in the management of cobra bite, survival rate is not 100 per cent. as 40 per cent of bites occurred while sleeping, particular attention should be given to tucking and sleeping in the middle of big mosquito net. As cobra bite also occurred in suburbs of Yangon, alnd survival despite therapy is not 100 per cent, everysone should exercise snake bite preventive measures.