[Increasing incidence of wasp stings in otorhinolaryngological practice].

BACKGROUND

Wasp sting injuries can be lethal due to generalized reactions and edematous obstruction of the upper respiratory system. Due to media reports and our own observations, the consequences of the 2004 "plague of wasps" should be examined for the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Wasp sting injuries treated during the years 2002 to 2004 were evaluated in a retrospective study with respect to frequency, localization, therapy, occurrence of allergic reactions, and other complications.

RESULTS

In 2002 to 2004, the number of patients with wasp sting injuries tripled. The occurrence of stings in the ENT region increased from 20% to more than 40%, with a strong rise in enoral and endolaryngeal stings after accidental swallowing or inhalation of wasps. The medical treatments employed proved the existence of sufficient therapeutic strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatments demonstrate a clear increase in wasp sting injuries in the year 2004. The main climatic cause was the European record summer of 2003, in which wasps multiplied.