Case Reports
Clinical case study of 21 mamushi bites at our emergency and critical care center
2025 Volume 38 Issue 3 Pages 267-272
Details
2025 Volume 38 Issue 3 Pages 267-272
Aim:Emergency physicians are often puzzled regarding how to treat mamushi bites, not only because they have limited opportunities to do so, but also because there are no guidelines. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriate treatment through cases at our hospital.
Methods:The characteristics, treatment and outcomes of 21 cases of mamushi bites in the last 5 years were retrospectively studied. Incision in the bite area, administration of antibiotics, tetanus toxoid and cepharanthine was performed as primary treatment. In cases with Grade III or higher swelling, anti-mamushi antivenom was administered.
Results:Eighteen cases developed Grade III or higher swelling, with a bite to swelling time of 1-48 (median:5.3) hours. The average duration of hospitalization was 6.4 days. Twenty cases were discharged home and one case was transferred for rehabilitation. The results of administration of the antivenom were adequate in all but one case, with no cases of anaphylaxis or serum sickness.
Discussion:The favorable prognosis in all the cases was probably related to the synergistic effect of each therapy. Considering the absence of adverse events and the fact that mamushi bites can become severe or lead to death, our treatment policy seems appropriate.
