Bites by snakes in the genus Bothrops: a series of 3,139 cases

Abstract

Medical records of 3,139 patients bitten by Bothrops snakes and attended at Vital Brazil Hospital (HVB) from 1981 to 1990 were reviewed. They were more frequent in males (75.7%). In 1,412 cases (45.0%) the snake was classified by species, and 1,376 were B. jararaca, 20 B. jararacussu, 11 B. neuwiedi, 2 B. moojeni, 2 B. alternatus e 1 B. pradoi. The most frequent bitten anatomic regions were: foot (47.5%) and hand (21.3%). Tourniquet was used in 38.2% of the cases and its frequency fell down during the study period (p < 0.05). The clinical features at the bite site were: pain (95.6%), swelling (95.4%), ecchymosis (56.1%), blisters (13.8%), necrosis (16.5%), and abscess (11.0%). Systemic manifestations were: bleeding (12.3%), acute renal failure (1.6%), and shock (0.7%). There were blood coagulation disorders in 1,730 (57.9%) of the 2,990 cases. There were 21 amputations (0.7%) and 9 deaths (0.3%). The average serum dose that was used in treatment fell down during the study period (p < 0.001).