Snakebite: Prospective study of fifty cases in Bahawalpur Region

ABSTRACT

A prospective study of fifty cases of snakebite was undertaken. Vasculotoxic was the commonest variety [60%]. Majority of the cases seen was in summer season. Tourniquet and pressure bandage application was the commonest pre-medical treatment remedies. Adult males while working especially watering the land were the commonest victims. Lower limb was the common site bitten by snakes. All the patients were found frightened after bite. Fang marks [84%], pain, swelling and bleeding from the bitten site [64%] were the other common clinical features. Multiple site bleeding [20%], tetanus, acute renal failure and shock were the complications encountered in this series. Mortality rate seen in this study was 10%. The common laboratory abnormalities noted in this study were disturbed bleeding profile like increased PT, A.P.T.T., Bleeding time, clotting time and thrombocytopenia