Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Bothrops spp. Envenomation in Triângulo Mineiro, Region, Minas Gerais, Brazil

BACKGROUND

Snakebite is a neglected global health problem with high morbidity. We describe compartment syndrome (CS) cases related to snakebites by Bothrops spp.

METHODS

The medical records of patients admitted with snakebites envenomation were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 47 patients with Bothrops spp. envenomation (4 male; mean age: 42 years), 7 (15%) developed CS. The mean time to antivenom administration was 9.5 hours. The time to fasciotomy was variable. Seven patients developed infection and four had acute kidney injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of CS is higher than that reported previously. This may be due to the clinical severity and long delay before administering antivenom.

Snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon: a descriptive study

Snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon is a recognized public health problem that does not receive the appropriate attention from key stakeholders. The morbidity rate is relevant, but still underestimated. Thus, the present study updates the current state of knowledge on snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon. It follows a descriptive method and contributes new knowledge about the dynamics of snakebites and the associated morbidity and mortality reported in the Brazilian Amazon. The study is based on information from cases registered and retrieved from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação-SINAN). The registers we studied covers a period of six years, 2010-2015. Most snakebites occurred in the states of Pará (30 693 cases, 43.34%) and Amazonas (9386 cases, 13.25%), with a higher prevalence in males of an economically active age. The main genus involved in bites was Bothrops sp. The mortality rate was 0.24 per hundred thousand and the case fatality rate was 0.51%. Although low case fatality and mortality rates were observed, much can still be done to prevent snakebites as they continue to be a serious public health problem considering the severity and potentially high economic impact for the individual and to society.