OBJECTIVES:

To characterize the clinical and sociodemographic profile of patients and treatments applied to trauma caused by stingrays in Palmas, Tocantins State, Brazil, from 2018 to 2019.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Descriptive and quantitative study with data from 189 electronic medical records of patients seen by medical professionals in the Emergency Care Units of Palmas. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were investigated. Data analysis was performed using the Stata 11 software, and the results were presented in tables and graphs.

RESULTS:

There was a predominance of males (75.66%), age group between 21 and 50 years (69.31%), and brown skin color (48.15%). The accidents occurred predominantly from June to September (46.56%) and in residents of the Plano Diretor Sul neighborhood (22.75%). The search for medical assistance within 24 h occured in 61.91% of cases. Local signs and symptoms (91.53%) and yellow risk classification (61.38%) by the Manchester Protocol also stood out. Complications were reported for 17.46% of patients, and 7.41% were referred. The most used therapies were local and systemic analgesics, including opioids (61.90%), anti-inflammatory drugs (61.38%), and antibiotics (59.26%).

CONCLUSION:

The accidents caused by stingrays occurred mostly during the dry season. The predominance of accidents among residents of the Plano Diretor Sul coincides with the greater availability of beaches and baths in this region. These data report the need for health education for bathers, fishers, and exposed populations and the need for specific protocols and trained professionals to manage this condition in health services.

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