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Evidence summaries

Tourniquet and Immobilization in the Treatment of Snake Bite

A tourniquet with adequate pressure may prevent the spread of the venom into the circulation only if the extremity is immobilized by a cast and the patient does not walk, although there is no evidence from controlled studies. Level of evidence: "C"

Twenty-four volunteers had technetium-99m antimony-sulphur colloid injected subcutaneously or intracutaneously, mimicking a snake bite 1. Fifteen subjects had a tourniquet applied immediately after the injection. The tourniquet effectively prevented the spread of the substance if the pressure of the tourniquet was 40-70 mmHg in the upper extremity, and 55-70 mmHg in the lower extremity. Ten minutes of walking resulted in the spread of the substance into the circulation.

    References

    • Howarth DM, Southee AE, Whyte IM. Lymphatic flow rates and first-aid in simulated peripheral snake or spider envenomation. Med J Aust 1994 Dec 5-19;161(11-12):695-700. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords