Approach to the diagnosis and management of snakebite envenomation in South Africa in humans.

The Hospital Phase – Emergency Unit General Principles.

Authors

  • T Hardcastle Trauma and Burns Service, IALCH and Dept of Health KZN; Dept of Surgical Sciences, NRMSM, University of KwaZulu-Natal; National snakebite advisory group
  • A Engelbrecht National snakebite advisory group; Emergency Medicine, University of Pretoria
  • V Lalloo National snakebite advisory group; Emergency Medicine, University of Pretoria
  • C Bell National snakebite advisory group; Mosvold Hospital, Dept of Health KZN and Family Medicine UKZN
  • M Toubkin National snakebite advisory group; GM Netcare Emergency, Trauma and Transplant. Netcare Head Office, Sandton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i6.1037

Keywords:

snakebite

Abstract

Snake bite management is largely driven by expert opinion and consensus, however there are a few large retrospective studies and RCT’s that have improved the quality of medical guidance currently available. South African snakes are different in the venomous potential and it behooves the hospital provider and the average medical practitioner to know the current best practice concepts concerning assessment, treatment and antivenom use. The recent SASS meeting in July 2022 provided an update and national consensus from which this Hospital Care document is derived.

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Published

2023-06-05

Issue

Section

CME

How to Cite

1.
Hardcastle T, Engelbrecht A, Lalloo V, Bell C, Toubkin M. Approach to the diagnosis and management of snakebite envenomation in South Africa in humans.: The Hospital Phase – Emergency Unit General Principles. S Afr Med J [Internet]. 2023 Jun. 5 [cited 2025 Oct. 12];113(6):12-8. Available from: https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/1037

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