title: Do we need anti snake venom (ASV) for management of elapid ophitoxaemia.
abstract: Twelve patients of elapid ophitoxaemia presented with neuromuscular paralytic features were given anticholinesterase (Neostigmine) in recommended dosage. In four of these patients, despite neuromuscular paralysis, no ASV was used. All these four patients survived. In eight patients, ASV was used; in three of whom it used in doses less than 50 units, yet patients survived. Of the remaining five, despite use of ASV in higher doses (more than 50 units), two succumbed to death. Eight patients required ventilatory support. Hence, in absence of any definite role of ASV in management of elapid ophitoxaemia (snake bite), use of anticholinesterase drugs alone, with good supportive care and prevention of likely complications, can result in satisfactory outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, R.N.T. Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Bomb
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kumawat
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bharjatya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D017815:Elapidae; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D009388:Neostigmine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D010243:Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D009388:Neostigmine