Compartment syndrome following snakebite in a boy: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Snake bites represent a significant public health issue worldwide, as venomous snake bites can result in lethal consequences if not treated promptly, including both local and systemic effects. The local symptoms of a snake bite commonly include tissue necrosis, edema, and compartment syndrome (CS). While CS is a rare complication following a snake bite, it may be more pronounced in children who typically have lower total dilution volume. Currently, the administration of anti-snake venom and prompt fasciotomy are the only specific treatments available for CS.

Case presentation: The present report details a case of CS of the right upper extremity in a three-year-old boy who suffered a snake bite on his right hand and was brought to the emergency department of a hospital in northern Iran after a lapse of 14 h.

Clinical discussion: Snakebites frequently occur in the extremities, with about two thirds of them happening in the upper extremities. The skin of the dorsum is extremely thin, there is essentially little subcutaneous fat tissue, and there are numerous superficial veins in this area, particularly the hand.

Conclusions: Following snake bites, the use of proximal tourniquets should be avoided, and the public's awareness of this need should be encouraged through health education. The prognosis for recovery following fasciotomy and the significance of follow-up and rehabilitation should also be explained to patients.

Keywords: Anti-snake venom; Compartment syndromes; Fasciotomy; Snake bites.

Fig. 1

A: Shown two fang marks on the dorsal surface of his right hand in the web between the fourth and fifth fingers. B: The site where the right elbow closed with a tourniquet (cord). C, D: Fasciotomy of forearm, carpal tunnel and dorsal surface of the right hand. E: Right hand fasciotomy site repair.