A case report on zinc phosphide ingestion resulting to acute pancreatitis

Zinc phosphide is commonly used as a rodenticide and often abused for intentional self harm. For years, Scientist believed that, It gets converted to phosphine gas by hydrolysis in acidic circumference of the stomach upon ingestion. It is absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect cardiovascular, respiratory, hepato-biliary hematological and gastrointestinal tract. It also results into electrolyte imbalance and ultimately leads to multi organ failure. We present a case of 46 year-old-male with acute pancreatitis due to zinc phosphide ingestion that was successfully treated conservatively. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of zinc phosphide poisoning. It is crucial to identify zinc phosphide as the cause of acute pancreatitis and rule out other factors (like alcohol, drugs, genetics) contributing to acute pancreatitis. Interestingly, patient presents with only mild symptoms of poisoning as metabolic acidosis and abdominal discomfort, acute pancreatitis was incidentally diagnosed through lab investigations and radiographs reports after 3-4 days of ongoing conservative treatment. Management was conservative for acute pancreatitis. This article provides a comprehensive review of management of zinc phosphide poisoning induced acute pancreatitis.