Clinical significance of early intravenous antivenom in russell's viper bite casces in Taungdwingyi District:A preliminary study

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study of 26 Russell's viper (Daboia russelii siamensis) bite cases who received 1-2 ampoules of anti venom at the villages in Taungdwingyi Township was carried out. Sixteen pad-applied cases were included in the study. Pad-treated cases who received early anti venom irrespective of the time after the bite developed no systemic complications (n=0/4) compared to those without pad (n=7/8) or cases who received 4 ampoules of antivenom within 4 hours after the bite at the hospital (n=5/10). Those who received antivenom 4 hours after the bite at the villages irrespective of pad carried the same risk of developing systemic complications compared to those who received 4 ampoules of antivenom at the hospital. Early administration of 1-2 ampoules of anti venom is indicated for treatment of local envenomed cases and 4 ampoules of antivenom should be given to early systemic cases following bites of big snakes. Application of compression immobilisation first-aid technique with an early intravenous anti venom at the villages is to be recommended in Russell's viper bite cases. Antivenom could have been saved in 24 percent of snake bite cases if guidelines for antivenom therapy were properly followed.