Abstract
Fifty eight cases of viper-bite injury during the last 9 years were studied.
Most of the patients came to the hospital in 60 minites from viper-bite, therefore at the first medical examination they were often diagnosed as less severe cases. In severe cases values of CPK, GOT, GPT and AML as well as symptom such as local swelling with subcutaneous bleeding or visual disorder increased within 3 days, but both the symptoms and abnormal laboratory data had improved in two weeks. It was hard to diagnose exactly the grade of viper-injury at first time. Each one of 5 cases treated with antivenin or 53 cases treated with Cephalantine alone fell into a dangerous condition, and the one of antivenin group died. All fifty three cases treated without antivenin were cured without mortality.
In consideration of its side effects, treatment with antivenin may not be essential. We conclude here that strict observation of the clinical corse and careful general management are most important for patients bitten by vipers.
