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Management of snakebite victims using low dose antisnake venom in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria: A 5-year Retrospective study


A.S. Ayinbuomwan
A.O. Opadeyi
A.O. Isah

Abstract

Objective: Antisnake venom (ASV) is a specific antidote for the  management of snake bite envenomations. This study profiled the  treatment and outcome of adult snake bite victims managed using low dose antisnake venom.
Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study that involved all adult  patients who presented in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, with a history of snake bite. Information obtained were  demographic characteristics, clinical features, and administered treatment per established. All patients with a diagnosis of snake bite envenomation were administered ASV.
Results: Sixty patients were seen during the study period, 35(58.3%)  males, 25(41.7%) females with a mean age was 34.7±13.3. The mean time from bite to presentation was 14.67±14.05 hours with range of 1- 48 hours. Twenty patients (33.3%) had snake bite envenomations, of these eleven (57.9%) were managed and discharged after administration of 30 to 40 mls of polyvalent ASV. The mean dose of PASV used was 3.9 ± 2.0 vials. The most encountered clinical indication for ASV administration was  progressive painful swelling. No death was recorded throughout this period studied.
Conclusion: Adoption of the low dose regimen in the management of snake bite envenomations may be as effective as the traditional high dose regimen.

Key words: Snake bite, envenomation, polyvalent antisnake venom,  Nigeria.


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eISSN: 2467-8252
print ISSN: 2360-7793