Snake Bite Management: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Around the world, snake bite envenomation remains an underreported human health hazard. Envenomation can cause local and systemic complications, especially when there is a lack of antivenom availability. Although there are established guidelines regarding snake bite management acute care, there is a paucity of data regarding surgical intervention and the plastic surgeon's role treating this unique patient population.

A review was conducted identifying relevant published articles involving snake bite management and treatment in PubMed and EMBASE.

One hundred ten articles were identified and 77 met inclusion criteria. Snake bite envenomation can result in complications that are dependent upon a variety of variables. The literature has shown the best field treatment to be timely transportation to the nearest medical facility, along with antivenom administration. The cytotoxic, hemotoxic, and neurotoxic effects of venom can cause a variety of local soft tissue and systemic complications. Surgical interventions such as fasciotomies, wound debridements, skin grafts, and tissue flaps may be necessary in these patients to optimize functional and aesthetic outcomes. Disparities in access to care in resource limited settings are discussed.

Global health disparities and insufficient antivenom distribution create an inequality of care in snake bite patients. Plastic surgeons have an important role in managing acute and chronic complications of snake bite envenomations that can lead to improved patient outcomes.