Management of Acute Organophosphorus Insecticide Poisoning: An Experience at a University Hospital

OBJECTIVE: To document the management and subsequent outcome of patients with organophosphorus (OP) poisoning in intensive care unit of a university hospital. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective study. SETTING: Intensive Care Unit of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Sindh-Pakistan, from May 2004 to October 2006. METHODS: Medical records of patients of OP poisoning admitted to intensive care unit of our hospital from May 2004 to October 2006 were reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed from the history and clinical findings. Management, complications and subsequent outcome were noted. RESULTS: Total 111 patients of OP poisoning were admitted in the ICU during the study period. Majority of patients i.e. 67(60.4%) were males and 44 (39.6%) were females. Mean age was 25.26 +/- 8.52 years with 85.6% within the age limit of 12-30 years. Majority of patients (89.2%) had suicidal attempt. In 94.6% patients, ingestion was the route of exposure. Mean ICU stay was 2.3 +/- 3.2 days while 20(18%) patients needed mechanical ventilatory support. Overall mortality rate was 9%.