Although Chinese cobra
snakebite is the most common type of snake venenation in China, it still lacks a comprehensive and systematic description. Hence, we aimed to study Chinese cobra
bite cases with particular attention to demography, epidemiology and clinical profile. In this study, a total of 292 cases of Chinese cobra
snakebite, presenting between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. To investigate the effect of treatment at different presentation times (time from
snakebite to admission), the patients were divided into two groups: group A included 133 cases that presented <12 h after the
bite; group B included 159 cases that presented ≥12 h after the
bite. To assess the correlation between application of a
tourniquet and
skin grafting, the cases were re-divided into two groups according to whether or not a
tourniquet was used after the
snakebite:
tourniquet group (n=220) and non-
tourniquet group (n=72). The results showed that Chinese cobra
snakebites were most commonly seen during the summer, in the upper limbs, and in males, young adults, and snake-hunters. Group A experienced milder intoxication than group B (P<0.001). The rate of
skin grafting was significantly higher in the
tourniquet group (20.0%, compared with 9.7% in the non-
tourniquet group, P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that anti-
cobra venom and swift admission (within 12 h of the
snakebite) are recommended for Chinese cobra
snakebite.
Tourniquet use is not recommended.