title: Is injecting a finger with rabies immunoglobulin dangerous?
abstract: Treating potentially rabies virus infected wounds requires the injection of rabies immunoglobulin into and around the wounds, followed by vaccination with an approved tissue culture rabies vaccine. A significant number of such bite wounds involves fingers where there is little space for expansion. Injecting immunoglobulin into such areas under pressure may induce a compartment syndrome caused by compromising circulation. We carried out a retrospective review and a prospective study of patients seen with digital bite injuries and found that it is a safe procedure if carried out with care by experienced staff.
authors.affiliation: Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. sukanitta@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kanitta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suwansrinon
authors.forename: Wipaporn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jaijaroensup
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.forename: Visith
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sitprija
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000821:virology*; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007223:Infant; D015552:Injections, Intralesional / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins