Treatment of a rattlesnake bite on the finger using alternative antivenom management and reconstructive surgery: a case report

Abstract

Snake bite may be observed from localized symptoms to systemic complications. In most cases, the symptoms as well as the lab course improved by conservative treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that enough of the antivenom be administered initially, and the hospital should be aware of the most common envenomations to obtain the most needed antivenoms. A case of 22-year-old woman bitten on her finger by a Estern Diamondback Rattlesnake. In Korea, there is no antivenom for rattlesnake, so freeze-dried Agkistrodon halys Antivenom was used alternatively. After 10 days of the injury, laboratory finding was almost normalized. At that time, the digit had undergone massive skin necrosis. The wound achieved total healing at postoperative 2 months after flap coverage. This case of rattlesnake bite, which was first described in Korea, present a management with antivenom to other family of snake, and successful surgical treatment.