Snakebite on the hand: lessons from two clinical cases illustrating difficulties of surgical indication

Snakebite is a particularly important health problem in rural areas of tropical regions. A large number of victims survive with permanent physical sequelae due to local tissue necrosis. However, necrosis may be associated with compartment syndrome especially when the bite is on the hands or feet. He...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
Main Authors: S Gras, G Plantefève, F Baud, JP Chippaux
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: SciELO 2012
Subjects:
snakebite
Africa
compartment syndrome
surgery
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Toxicology. Poisons
RA1190-1270
Zoology
QL1-991
Arctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992012000400019
https://doaj.org/article/5362701e4a4f4bb6a12810cb80e8b2f6
Description
Summary:Snakebite is a particularly important health problem in rural areas of tropical regions. A large number of victims survive with permanent physical sequelae due to local tissue necrosis. However, necrosis may be associated with compartment syndrome especially when the bite is on the hands or feet. Herein, we describe two cases reported at a rural district hospital in Central African Republic. The present study suggests that active multidisciplinary management may improve patient prognosis while evidencing how difficult it is to decide on surgical intervention.

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