Single-center experience in a rural hospital in scorpio stings and snakebites

Abstract

Objective. - The aim of this study was to analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of scorpio stings and snakebites. Methods. - We retrospectively analysed the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of 318 patients admitted to Diyarbakir Gaziyas,argil Education and Research Hospital Emergency Service between January 2017 and January 2022 due to scorpion stings and snakebites. Results. - Of the patients, 57.9% (n = 184) were male. Of the patients, 43.7% (139) were rural residents. Clinical findings in snakebites include local edema, pain, hyperemia, and numbness. The most common findings in terms of systemic symptoms are ecchymosis, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. Clinical findings in scorpion stings include local edema, pain, hyperemia at the wound site. The most common findings in terms of systemic symptoms are fever, nausea, and vomiting. While antihistamines and steroid treatment were applied to most of the patients (42% for both scorpion stings and snakebites), snake anti-venom was administered to 18 (5.6%) patients, and scorpion anti-venom was administered to 9 (2.8%) patients. Due to the compartment risk in seven patients, fasciotomy was performed in five (1.6%) patients. No patient developed cardiac dysfunction or myocardial damage or died due to major systemic poisoning. Conclusion. - Scorpion stings and snakebites in southeast Turkey do not appear to be severe or life-threatening. (R) 2023 Societe Francaise de Toxicologie Analytique. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.