AN UNUSUAL SURVIVAL IN A CASE OF CELPHOS POISONING

Abstract

Celphos poisoning is a major cause of suicidal deaths in rural areas of developing countries like India. Accidental exposure to the chemical is also common and is equally hazardous. Major cause of high mortality is delay in receiving the primary treatment. In this case the patient suffered from altered sensorium, severe metabolic acidosis, shock, atrial fibrillation and later ventilator associated pneumonia and yet survived. The key to his survival was early lavage and use of colloids in management of shock which was till then not responding to high doses of vasopressors. Magnesium sulphate was used due to its membrane stabilizing action on the myocardium. Physicians managing cases of this lethal poisoning must leave their scepticism about the outcome and hence manage them aggressively.