THE EFFICACY OF ANTIVENOM IN THE TREATMENT OF BITES BY THE PAPUAN TAIPAN (OXYURANUS-SCUTELLATUS-CANNI)

A prospective series of 156 patients systemically envenomed following the bite of a Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus canni) were studied . All patients were treated with appropriate antivenom and clinical co urse and outcome were compared. The proportion of patients requiring i ntubation was significantly smaller, and the time to resolution of neu rotoxicity and discharge from hospital significantly shorter, in patie nts receiving antivenom no more than 4 h after the bite. No significan t difference in outcome was demonstrated between patients receiving an tivenom at various times after 4 h. No difference was demonstrated in the times to restoration of coagulability between the 2 groups. The on ly significant difference between a small number of patients given 2 v ials of antivenom and patients given a single vial at the same time af ter envenoming was a marginally shorter duration of intubation in thos e who required it. The study suggests that, to achieve significant cli nical benefit in Papuan taipan bite, antivenom must be given as early as possible.