Medical Management After Lancehead Snakebite in North Amazon: A Case Report of Long-Term Disability

Overview

Journal Toxins (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Toxicology

Date 2022 Jul 25

PMID 35878232

Authors

Isadora S Oliveira

Carla B Ananias

Jilvando M Medeiros

Michelle V S Franco

Isabela G Ferreira

Felipe A Cerni

Eliseu A Sandri

Wuelton M Monteiro

Manuela B Pucca

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Snakebites are a major public health problem in indigenous communities in Brazil, leading to acute local and systemic damage with resulting deficiencies. Long-term musculoskeletal disabilities related to snakebites have been a neglected area of research. (lancehead) snakes are responsible for most of the permanent sequelae related to snakebites in Latin America. Here, we present a case report of a 32-year-old male indigenous patient who was envenomed by a species. The patient was clinically followed for a period of approximately 2 years and 6 months, during which time he experienced a loss of musculoskeletal tissue and required several medical procedures such as debridement, tissue reconstruction, and physical therapy, which resulted in a recovery of mobility, though with a permanent sequelae in gait. This case report shows how snakebites have a significant impact on health systems, as victims require physiotherapy, plastic surgery, and orthopedics services, as well as social support for reintegration into their local communities.

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