Evaluation and treatment of poisonous snakebites. 1994

T P Forks

Snakebite victims should be transported immediately to the nearest emergency department. Incision and suction are contraindicated unless performed by experienced personnel within five minutes of the bite, or unless transport of the patient to definitive medical care will take more than 30 minutes. Cryotherapy is contraindicated. All bites should be graded for severity of envenomation. The wound should be cleaned and broad-spectrum antibiotics administered. Tetanus status should be determined and tetanus toxoid administered if necessary. Antivenin is indicated in certain mild cases and in all moderate and severe cases of envenomation. Patients with a mild case of envenomation may require up to five vials of antivenin; patients with moderate bites may require 10 to 15 vials, and patients with severe bites may require 15 to 20 vials. Antivenin is effective only when administered intravenously; skin testing to predict the possibility of anaphylactic reaction is mandatory before administration. Diphenhydramine and epinephrine should be readily available in case of anaphylaxis. Fasciotomy is only indicated in rare cases involving elevated intracompartment pressures.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000997 Antivenins Antisera used to counteract poisoning by animal VENOMS, especially SNAKE VENOMS. Anti-Venin,Anti-Venom,Antivenin,Antivenom,Anti-Venins,Anti-Venoms,Antivenoms,Anti Venin,Anti Venins,Anti Venom,Anti Venoms
D012720 Severity of Illness Index Levels within a diagnostic group which are established by various measurement criteria applied to the seriousness of a patient's disorder. Illness Index Severities,Illness Index Severity
D012909 Snake Bites Bites by snakes. Bite by a venomous snake is characterized by stinging pain at the wound puncture. The venom injected at the site of the bite is capable of producing a deleterious effect on the blood or on the nervous system. (Webster's 3d ed; from Dorland, 27th ed, at snake, venomous) Envenomation, Snakebite,Snake Envenomation,Snake Envenoming,Snakebite Envenoming,Snakebites,Bite, Snake,Envenomation, Snake,Envenoming, Snake,Envenoming, Snakebite,Snake Bite,Snake Envenomations,Snake Envenomings,Snakebite,Snakebite Envenomation,Snakebite Envenomations,Snakebite Envenomings

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