title: Organophosphorus insecticide poisoning: management in surgical intensive care unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome of patients with organophosphorus poisoning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive (non-interventional) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Civil Hospital Karachi, from January 1996 to December 2002.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of all the patients with organophosphorus poisoning, admitted during the study period, were reviewed. Their clinical features, complications, management and survival were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 52 patients, admitted to surgical intensive care unit during the study period, 92.31% survived and were discharged to medical wards. Major cause of mortality (7.69 %) was acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The common cause of mortality in organophosphorus poisoning is aspiration pneumonia leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome that is preventable by securing the airway early in emergency room.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, P.O.Box 3500, Karachi-74800, Pakistan. azizamh@cyber.net.pk
authors.forename: Aziza Mohammed
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: S Tipu
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sultan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000139:chemically induced; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides