ABSTRACT
The mortality of snakebite envenomation in humans is of little consequence in the United States, as the average number of deaths has been fewer than 15 yearly. Nevertheless, the sequelae of these inflictions may require intensive and uncompromising treatment. The plastic surgery approach to the many and variegated complexities of snakebite is the subject of this chapter. Venomer identification, clinical findings, venom differences, bite classification, and early medical management may be found in the literature elsewhere. Plastic surgery involves a battery of measures designed to repair or restore injured, deformed, or destroyed body parts. The word, plastic, is derived from the Greek plasticos, meaning to mold or shape matter. The most basic principles of plastic surgery relate to debridement of devitalized tissues; wound closures; grafts and flaps of skin, vessels, nerves, cartilages, and bones; and Z-plasties. Enthusiastic publicity about plastic surgery has been responsible for erroneous flattering impressions of the specialty.
