EARLY INITIATION OF THERAPEUTIC PLASMA EXCHANGE IN YELLOW PHOSPHORUS POISONING: A LIFE-SAVING STRATEGY – A CLINICAL CASE REPORT

Abstract

Rodenticides containing yellow phosphorus (YP) are one of the most common poisonings, which has high mortality seen among the southern Indian population. It is a very potent toxin, which when consumed results in acute liver failure (ALF) followed by death. Presently there is no antidote available, and liver transplant is considered the only definitive treatment, while for liver transplantation, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been regarded as a bridge therapy. As per the TN-ISG (Tamil Nadu Chapter of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Guidelines) for rodenticide poisoning, TPE is considered a non-transplant treatment option. A 28year old female case with a yellow phosphorus (YP) poisoning case has been presented here by us that was managed with early TPE. The patient responded well and was discharged after 8 days of hospitalization.