Tetanus after Trauma: Still Existed Problem in Tropical Country

Abstract

Dear Editor, An important concern on the management of trauma case is the tetanus prevention. In the past, when tetanus toxoid, is not easily available, the rate of posttraumatic tetanus was very high. In tropical countries, the problem of tetanus is still existed. Here, the author discusses and summarizes the problem of tetanus after trauma in the local reports[1,2] in Thailand, a tropical country in Asia. Based on database review (PubMed, Scopus, and Thai Index Medicus) on case reports of tetanus in Thailand in the past 15 years period (2001–2016), there are at least 132 accumulated cases of posttraumatic tetanus. The male‑to‑female ratio was 2:1. The mortality rate is 8.02%. In all cases, the patients did not receive the tetanus toxoid.