Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Management of animal bite injuries of the face: experience with 94 patients.
- Journal:
- Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Year:
- 1998
- Authors:
- Wolff, K D
- Affiliation:
- Department of Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery · Germany
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how to treat facial injuries caused by animal bites, focusing on 94 patients. Most of the bites came from dogs, and while some patients had infections, the overall rate was low, especially for those who received antibiotics. The researchers found that treating these injuries with careful surgical techniques can help avoid infections, and they suggest that routine use of antibiotics may not be necessary. In the end, they concluded that extensive facial bite wounds should be managed with a focus on both healing and appearance.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Because of the large number of bacteria in the oral cavity, animal bite wounds are generally contaminated, and their treatment is difficult because of the risk of infection, especially in extensive injuries. This report describes the management of a large series of patients and recommends treatment guidelines on the basis of the results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-four animal bite wounds on the face and head were analyzed according to the type of animal, location and extent of the soft tissue wound, duration and type of surgical treatment, occurrence of infections and their pathogen spectrum, as well as the choice of antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Dogs caused 91% of the bite wounds. Infections developed in 4 of 53 patients who underwent primary wound closure with minor edge excision and prophylactic administration of oral penicillin. Without antibiotic administration, 2 of 15 patients had infections, which were treated on an outpatient basis. Of 26 patients with initially delayed treatment, 18 showed clinical inflammatory symptoms with a wide spectrum of pathogens (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Proteus) on presentation. CONCLUSION: Extensive animal bite wounds on the face, even with soft tissue defects, should be treated according to the criteria of a esthetic reconstructive facial surgery. In view of the low infection rate, routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not justified.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9663574/