Snakebite Envenomation, Case Presentation with Limb Salvage Aponevrotomy and Practice Update

Snakebites are a major public health problem relatively common in low-income countries in Africa. Envenomation in children are usually mild or severe and often occurred during outdoor activities in limb extremities, especially the lower limbs. It is considered by WHO as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It is a serious life threatening emergency in inadequate health facility area since anti venom treatment considered as the mainstay treatment may not be available. Recently the other types of anti-venoms were introduced in practice with more availability and ease the medical care. Nevertheless surgical care is still needed for the wounds that can develop secondary to necrosis and the need of fasciotomy when compartment syndrome seems to develop. We report the case of a school age child who presented with grade 4 signs of envenomation complicated by a compartment syndrome, for which a subcutaneous fasciotomy was performed following anti venom, prophylactic antibiotics and analgesics, with favorable evolution.

Snakebites in children can be more severe and potentially fatal due to their smaller size and higher ratio of venom to body mass. Effective anti-venom, prophylactic antibiotics and fasciotomy in case of a compartment syndrome are very effective means of handling snakebites in children.

Keywords: Snakebite, Envenomation, Fasciotomy.