title: The painful experience of inappropriate therapy of snake bites: a report of two cases.
abstract: Recognizing the exact species of snake and specific antivenin administration are the most important modality of treatment for poisonous snake bites. In Taiwan, there are six kinds of medically important snakes--two species of Elapidae and four species of Viperidae. Two kinds of polyvalent antivenins and one monovalent antivenin are available. But for snake bites, questions about the prescription of antivenins are still the major problems addressed to the Poison Control Center. Improper use of antivenin may delay a patient's recovery from snake poisoning and even lead to mortality. Here, two cases of snake bites are presented. Each had severe complications and mortality as a result of inappropriate therapy, and the most rational management of snake bite in Taiwan is discussed, too.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: D Z
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins