Author(s)

Raphaël Okoue Ondo^1*, Ghislain Edjo Nkilly¹, Stephane Oliveira², Pascal Nze Obiang³, Fabrice Ragome Guissou⁴, Sarah DOndyas Orema¹, Wilfried Mouiry Bivigou², Ulysse Mayegue Anani¹, Joel Obiang Hevezogo¹, Jean-Marcel Mandji Lawson¹, Romain Tchoua¹

¹Department of Anesthesia-Resuscitation and Emergency of the Omar Bongo Ondimba Army Training Hospital, Libreville, Gabon.
²Department of Anesthesia-Resuscitation and Emergency of the Akanda Army Training Hospital, Libreville, Gabon.
³Department of Anesthesia-Resuscitation and Emergency of the Mother-Child University Hospital Center of the Jeanne Ebori Foundation, Libreville, Gabon.
⁴School of Application of the Military Health Service of Libreville, Libreville, Gabon.

Introduction: In 2017, WHO reintegrated snake bites into neglected tropical diseases. Our objective was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of ophidian envenomations treated in Libreville from 01/01/2012 to 03/31/2019. Methodology: This was a retrospective descriptive multicenter study over 7 years (2012-2018) and prospective (1st quarter 2019) about 23 cases. All patients received for ophidian envenomation with key information for our study were included. Ethical considerations were respected. Results: We conducted our study on 23 cases of ophidian envenomation. The median age was 26 years. There was a slight male predominance with a sex ratio of 1.09. Bites were mainly nocturnal 34.78% of cases. The lower limb was most affected 73.91% of cases. Local syndrome was the most common clinical sign. Viperine syndrome accounted for 95.65% of cases. Biological tests were not often requested. Those who had coagulopathy were 26.09% of cases. 01 patient had an ECG. 01 patient died. Out of 23 envenomations, 19 had antivenom. Conclusion: The establishment of therapeutic protocols and the accessibility to antivenom will contribute to improving the hospital management of these pathologies.

Antivenom, Envenomation, Snakes, Gabon

Ondo, R. , Nkilly, G. , Oliveira, S. , Obiang, P. , Guissou, F. , Orema, S. , Bivigou, W. , Anani, U. , Hevezogo, J. , Lawson, J. and Tchoua, R. (2025) Epidemiological Aspects and Management of Ophidien Envenimation in Libreville. Open Journal of Emergency Medicine, 13, 99-107. doi: 10.4236/ojem.2025.132011.