Article Sidebar

pdf
Date Published: 15/12/2025
Abstract Views: 0
Views pdf: 0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51298/vmj.v556i3.16460
Issue
Vol. 556 No. 3 (2025)
Section
Các bài báo
How to Cite
Đào, V. M., & Trần, T. S. (2025). RESULTS OF SKIN GRAFTING FOR SOFT TISSUE DEFECTS OF THE FOREARM AND HAND CAUSED BY COBRA ENVENOMATIONSUMMARY. Vietnam Medical Journal, 556(3). https://doi.org/10.51298/vmj.v556i3.16460

RESULTS OF SKIN GRAFTING FOR SOFT TISSUE DEFECTS OF THE FOREARM AND HAND CAUSED BY COBRA ENVENOMATIONSUMMARY

Văn Mạnh Đào, Thiết Sơn Trần

Main Article Content

Abstract

Objective: To describe the characteristics of soft tissue injuries of the forearm and hand caused by cobra envenomation and to evaluate the outcomes of soft tissue defect coverage using skin grafting. Subjects and Methods: A prospective, non-controlled interventional study was conducted on 16 patients who underwent full-thickness skin grafting for coverage of forearm and hand soft tissue defects due to cobra envenomation at Bach Mai Hospital from January 2024 to December 2024. Results: The mean age of patients was 58 ± 16 years. Common clinical manifestations after envenomation included swelling (100%), blistering (37.5%), and numbness (43.8%). The most frequent injury site was the hand (93.8%), with an average defect size of 28.3 cm². The complete graft take rate was 93.8%, and all donor sites healed primarily. At 6 months postoperatively, good functional recovery of hand movement was observed in 87.5% of cases. Conclusion: Cobra bites to the forearm and hand cause skin and subcutaneous tissue necrosis, resulting in large defects. Full-thickness skin grafting is a simple, safe, and effective reconstructive method, providing reliable defect coverage and satisfactory functional recovery of the hand.

Article Details

Keywords

Cobra envenomation; Hand injuries; Soft tissue defects; Skin grafting; Functional recovery

References

Bộ Y tế. Hướng dẫn chẩn đoán và xử trí rắn cắn. Hà Nội: Nhà xuất bản Y học; 2020.
2. Warrell DA. Clinical toxicology of snakebite in Asia. In: Meier J, White J, editors. Handbook of clinical toxicology of animal venoms and poisons. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2010. p. 493–594.
3. Wong OF, Lam TS, Fung HT. Clinically significant local envenomation from cobra bite: case series. Emerg Med J. 2012;29(6):528–32.
4. Tsai YH, Lin YY, Su YJ, et al. Management of cobra bite wounds with skin grafting. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;135(3):731–8.
5. Mao YC, Liu PY, Chiang LC, et al. Cobra envenomation and its treatment outcomes: analysis of 121 cases. Toxicon. 2018;151:15–22.
6. Kamolz LP, Andel H, Haslik W, et al. Use of VAC therapy in skin graft fixation. Burns. 2004;30(5):467–72.
7. Kittiphattanabawon P, et al. Skin graft outcomes after snakebite wounds in Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai. 2014;97(8):857–63.
8. Lin CC, et al. Long-term results of full-thickness skin grafting in hand injuries. J Hand Surg Eur. 2016;41(4):382–8.
9. Atiyeh BS, Costagliola M, Hayek SN. Functional and aesthetic considerations in skin grafts and flaps. Ann Plast Surg. 2005;54(2):187–92.
10. Ghez O, et al. Functional outcomes after reconstructive surgery of hand defects following necrosis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2011;64(9):1231–7.