EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ADDER BITES - CASE-REPORTS AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

Authors
Citation
Dj. Harborne, EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ADDER BITES - CASE-REPORTS AND LITERATURE-REVIEW, Archives of emergency medicine, 10(3), 1993, pp. 239-243
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Emergency Medicine & Critical Care
ISSN journal
02644924
Volume
10
Issue
3
Year of publication
1993
Pages
239 - 243
Database
ISI
SICI code
0264-4924(1993)10:3<239:ETOAB->2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
Five cases of adder bites are presented. The clinical effects and curr ent recommendations for the treatment of adder bites are described bas ed on a review of previously published literature. All adder bites, or snake bites of unknown species, should be observed for a minimum of 2 h. Those with no local swelling may be allowed home with appropriate a ntitetanus prophylaxis. Patients with local reaction or signs of syste mic envenoming should be admitted for 48 h with ECG monitoring, and an tivenom obtained. Indications and precautions for administration of an tivenom are reviewed. Early antivenom treatment may reduce mortality a nd morbidity from adder bites.