TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2010//
TI  - Management of venomous snakebite injury to the extremities
JO  - Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
A1  - Anz, Adam W.
A1  - Schweppe, Mark
A1  - Halvorson, Jason
A1  - Bushnell, Brandon
A1  - Sternberg, Michael
A1  - Koman, L. Andrew
SP  - 749
EP  - 759
VL  - 18
IS  - 12
N2  - Pit vipers (subfamily Crotalinae) are responsible for most venomous snakebites in the United States. The mixture of proteins with cytotoxic, proteolytic, and/or neurotoxic enzymes in snake venom varies by species. Treatment in the field consists of safe identification of the species of snake and rapid transport of the patient to the nearest health care facility. Swelling, bruising, and systemic symptoms are seen following snakebite. Most patients respond to elevation of the affected extremity and observation. Some require the administration of antivenin. Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) (CroFab, BTG International, West Conshohocken, PA) antivenin is safe and effective for the management of local and systemic effects of envenomation. Rarely, compartment syndrome may develop in the affected limb because of edema and tissue necrosis. Close monitoring of the extremity via serial physical examination and measurement of compartment pressure is a reliable method of determining whether surgical intervention is required.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1067-151X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -