Evaluation of the Venom Ex apparatus in the initial treatment of puff adder envenomation. A study in rabbits.

The Venom Ex apparatus has been evaluated for the treatment of puff adder bite. Rabbits were injected with double the lethal dose of puff adder venom, followed by treatment with the Venom Ex cutting and suction apparatus. Controls received no treatment. The percentage of venom extracted as determined by radial immunodiffusion was very low after intramuscular injection and significantly higher after subcutaneous injection. However, all treated and control animals injected subcutaneously, recovered while all animals injected intramuscularly died, irrespective of treatment. Blood venom levels were extremely low in all animals. Venom Ex treatment did not improve survival or affect local necrosis significantly.