[The management of snake envenomation: evaluation of twenty-one snake bite cases].
BACKGROUND
Snake envenomation, its treatment and outcomes are presented in this study.


METHODS
Twenty-one snake bite cases (10 males, 11 females; mean age 36.4; range 10 to 70 years) were followed up at our clinic during the summers of 2004 and 2005. Four of these patients were "dry bite". The remaining 17 cases were envenomated.


RESULTS
Local and hematological disorders were detected in envenomated cases. Local skin necrosis developed in a case. Thrombocytopenia was seen in five of the cases. Seven units of whole blood were transfused in three patients. When the Zagreb antiserum which was produced against European snakes was used, better results achieved. The serum which was imported from Egypt was given to the patient in case of lacking of Zagreb serum was lacking. Clinical conditions were improved later with the "Egypt serum" although higher doses had been administered.


CONCLUSIONS
Hematological disorders and local wound problems were more prominent with poisonous snake bite cases in our region. We conclude that these problems can be prevented by using antiserum treatment as early as possible.
Köse
Rüştü
R
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kahramanmaraş State Hospital, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. rustu2000@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012910:Snake Venoms; D012911:Snakes; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000997:Antivenins; D012910:Snake Venoms