Airway obstruction following snake bite. A case report.

Abstract

A 25-year old farmer was referred from a private clinic to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) with a 6-day history of snake bite in his farm. He was conscious on admission and had bleeding tendencies. His PCV on admission was 10%. A diagnosis of vasculotoxic snake bite was made. The patient was admitted, treated with anti-snake venom (ASV) and was transfused with 8 units of fresh whole blood. He subsequently developed a massive oedema of the tongue resulting in upper airway obstruction requiring urgent intervention. The anaesthesia team was invited for possible endotracheal intubation. The airway management is presented.