Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case report
Abstract Background Bites caused by European vipers are rare medical emergencies but can occasionally cause life-threatening complications. Viper venom causes local symptoms, which can be accompanied by systemic manifestations in severe cases. The local effects of snakebites include edema and, more...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Pediatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-024-01638-5 |
| _version_ | 1797199274767810560 |
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| author | Marco Sassoè-Pognetto Riccardo Cavalcante Matteo Paonessa |
| author_facet | Marco Sassoè-Pognetto Riccardo Cavalcante Matteo Paonessa |
| author_sort | Marco Sassoè-Pognetto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Bites caused by European vipers are rare medical emergencies but can occasionally cause life-threatening complications. Viper venom causes local symptoms, which can be accompanied by systemic manifestations in severe cases. The local effects of snakebites include edema and, more rarely, necrosis and compartment syndrome. The consequences of envenomation are often more pronounced in children due to their smaller body size. Case presentation We present the case of a 6-year-old girl who experienced multiple viper bites in the lower limb in northwest Italy. The girl received supportive care but progressed to develop compartment syndrome that required emergency fasciotomy. The patient’s condition improved promptly after surgical decompression and administration of antivenom, but full recovery required prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation. Conclusions This case highlights the importance of obtaining a timely assessment of the severity of viper envenomation without delaying the administration of antivenom in most serious cases. The presence of multiple bite marks on the patient is one factor that may help to predict the clinical severity of snakebites and anticipate symptom progression. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:13:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-90dd8e27e2404f148afd1dd4a53e2a45 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1824-7288 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:13:09Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Italian Journal of Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-90dd8e27e2404f148afd1dd4a53e2a452024-04-21T11:25:29ZengBMCItalian Journal of Pediatrics1824-72882024-04-015011710.1186/s13052-024-01638-5Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case reportMarco Sassoè-Pognetto0Riccardo Cavalcante1Matteo Paonessa2Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of TorinoCentro Emys Piemonte, ELEADE Società Cooperativa a.r.lPediatric Orthopedic Surgery Department, “Regina Margherita” Children’s HospitalAbstract Background Bites caused by European vipers are rare medical emergencies but can occasionally cause life-threatening complications. Viper venom causes local symptoms, which can be accompanied by systemic manifestations in severe cases. The local effects of snakebites include edema and, more rarely, necrosis and compartment syndrome. The consequences of envenomation are often more pronounced in children due to their smaller body size. Case presentation We present the case of a 6-year-old girl who experienced multiple viper bites in the lower limb in northwest Italy. The girl received supportive care but progressed to develop compartment syndrome that required emergency fasciotomy. The patient’s condition improved promptly after surgical decompression and administration of antivenom, but full recovery required prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation. Conclusions This case highlights the importance of obtaining a timely assessment of the severity of viper envenomation without delaying the administration of antivenom in most serious cases. The presence of multiple bite marks on the patient is one factor that may help to predict the clinical severity of snakebites and anticipate symptom progression.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-024-01638-5ViperaSnakebiteCompartment syndromeFasciotomyCase report |
| spellingShingle | Marco Sassoè-Pognetto Riccardo Cavalcante Matteo Paonessa Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case report Italian Journal of Pediatrics Vipera Snakebite Compartment syndrome Fasciotomy Case report |
| title | Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case report |
| title_full | Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case report |
| title_short | Acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in Italy: a case report |
| title_sort | acute compartment syndrome and fasciotomy after a viper bite in italy a case report |
| topic | Vipera Snakebite Compartment syndrome Fasciotomy Case report |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-024-01638-5 |
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