Snake Bites

Abstract

There are thousands of snake species worldwide, and approximately 15% are considered dangerous to humans. 1 Gold B.S. Dart R.C. Barish R.A. Bites of venomous snakes. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347: 347-356 Crossref PubMed Scopus (325) Google Scholar The American Association of Poison Control Centers has recently reported that the United States averages approximately 6,000 snake bites every year, of which 2,000 are from venomous snakes. 1 Gold B.S. Dart R.C. Barish R.A. Bites of venomous snakes. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347: 347-356 Crossref PubMed Scopus (325) Google Scholar , 2 Litovitz T.L. Klein-Schwartz W. White S. Cobaugh D.J. Youniss J. Omslaer J.C. et al. 2000 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am J Emerg Med. 2001; 19: 337-395 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (322) Google Scholar , 3 Litovitz T.L. Klein-Schwartz W. White S. Cobaugh D.J. Youniss J. Drab A. et al. 1999 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am J Emerg Med. 2000; 18: 517-574 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (239) Google Scholar , 4 Parrish H.M. Incidence of treated snakebites in the United States. Public Health Rep. 1966; 81: 269-276 Crossref PubMed Scopus (83) Google Scholar However, the exact incidence of snake bites is unknown because most bites are not reported and receive no medical treatment. Most snake bites occur when humans and snakes are likely to be in the same environment, from April to October. 5 Consroe P. Egen N.B. Russell F.E. Gerrish K. Smith D.C. Sidki A. et al. Comparison of a new ovine antigen binding fragment (Fab) antivenin for United States Crotalidae with the commercial antivenin for protection against venom-induced lethality in mice. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1995; 53: 507-510 PubMed Google Scholar , 6 Juckett G. Hancox J.G. Venomous snakebites in the United States: management review and update. Am Fam Physician. 2002; 65: 1367-1374 PubMed Google Scholar No more than 12 annual snake bite fatalities have been reported from 1960 to 1990. 5 Consroe P. Egen N.B. Russell F.E. Gerrish K. Smith D.C. Sidki A. et al. Comparison of a new ovine antigen binding fragment (Fab) antivenin for United States Crotalidae with the commercial antivenin for protection against venom-induced lethality in mice. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1995; 53: 507-510 PubMed Google Scholar Educational Objectives •List the common venomous snakes in the United States. •Discuss the snake bite reflex in decapitated snakes. •Describe the signs of envenomation. •Discuss the initial first aid principles following a snake bite. •State the complications following a snake bite envenomation. •Discuss the role of the compartment pressure measurements test following a snake bite. Earn up to 2 hours of CME credit per JHS issue when you read the related articles and take the online test. To pay the $20 fee and take this month's test, visit http://www.assh.org/professionals/jhs. •List the common venomous snakes in the United States. •Discuss the snake bite reflex in decapitated snakes. •Describe the signs of envenomation. •Discuss the initial first aid principles following a snake bite. •State the complications following a snake bite envenomation. •Discuss the role of the compartment pressure measurements test following a snake bite. Earn up to 2 hours of CME credit per JHS issue when you read the related articles and take the online test. To pay the $20 fee and take this month's test, visit http://www.assh.org/professionals/jhs. Journal CME QuestionsJournal of Hand SurgeryVol. 35Issue 10Preview Full-Text PDF