Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Snake Envenomation

摘要

The effectiveness of cryotherapy in the treatment of poisonous snake envenomation was evaluated. Fourteen dogs were injected in their hind paws with 40 mg of Crotalus adamanteus venom (Eastern diamondback rattlesnake). None of the seven control dogs which received either no treatment or 20 cc Crotalidae polyvalent antivenom had any significant tissue loss. All seven dogs that received cryotherapy to their envenomated extremity for six days developed hemorrhagic necrosis of skin on this leg. The evidence presented here suggests that cryotherapy enhances the damaging effects of poisonous snake venom on the tissue. (Author)