Emergency treatment of adder bites: case reports and literature review

Five cases of adder bites are presented. The clinical effects and current recommendations for the treatment of adder bites are described based 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 lo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of emergency medicine 1993-09, Vol.10 (3), p.239-243
Main Author: Harborne, D J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Animals
Antivenins - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Emergency Medical Services
Female
Humans
Intensive care medicine. Antipoison centers
Male
Medical sciences
Snake Bites - therapy
Toxicology
Viper Venoms - poisoning
Viperidae
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Description
Summary:Five cases of adder bites are presented. The clinical effects and current recommendations for the treatment of adder bites are described based 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 antitetanus prophylaxis. Patients with local reaction or signs of systemic envenoming should be admitted for 48 h with ECG monitoring, and antivenom obtained. Indications and precautions for administration of antivenom are reviewed. Early antivenom treatment may reduce mortality and morbidity from adder bites.
ISSN:0264-4924
1472-0205
1472-0213
DOI:10.1136/emj.10.3.239