Effect of externally applied jidesheng anti-venom on skin and soft-tissue necrosis after Chinese cobra bite: a retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of Jidesheng anti-venom used externally for skin and soft-tissue necrosis from Chinese cobra bite.


METHODS
A retrospective review was performed according to the clinical data recorded from January 2002 to December 2012. A total of 126 patients (116 females and 10 males) with skin and soft-tissue necrosis due to Chinese cobra bite were divided into two groups. The control group was treated externally with 40% glyceride magnesium sulfate (n = 52), and the treatment group was given Jidesheng anti-venom externally (n = 74). The data collected included maximum local necrotic area of skin and soft tissues, de-tumescence time, healing time, and skin-grafting rate.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in gender, age, and disease condition between the control and treatment groups (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in de-tumescence time between the two groups (P > 0.05). The maximum local necrotic area of skin and soft tissues was (19.9 +/- 7.3) cm2 in the treatment group, while it was (23.3 +/- 6.4) cm2 in the control group. The healing time of the treatment group was shorter than that of the control group [(32.1 +/- 3.7) vs (34.4 +/- 4.5) days)]. The skin-grafting rate in the treatment group was lower than that of the control group (10.81% vs 25.00%). There were statistically significant differences in maximum local necrotic area of skin and soft tissues, healing time, and skin-grafting rate between the control and treatment groups (all P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
External application of Jidesheng anti-venom may help to promote wound healing and reduce the skin-grafting rate in cases of skin and soft-tissue necrosis due to Chinese cobra bite.
Quanfang
Q
Chen
Wei
W
Wang
Qibin
Q
Li
Yulong
Y
Bai
Xiaoying
X
Zou
Yanbin
Y
Wu
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D017815:Elapidae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004546:Elapid Venoms