Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
-
Fasciotomy has been described in the treatment of rattlesnake-envenomation. We sought to compare the characteristics of patients undergoing fasciotomy with those where fasciotomy was discussed but not performed. ⋯ Fasciotomies continue to take place, without compartment pressure measurements, and without repeat dosing of antivenom. In the absence of clear objective evidence that limb-threatening compartment syndrome occurs despite adequate antivenom administration, fasciotomy does not favorably impact morbidity and may be associated with increased costs for care following rattlesnake envenomation.