The primary closure approach of dog bite injuries of the nose

[Trauma surgical relevance of bite injuries by animals and humans]

Bite injuries require differentiated treatment due to the deeply inoculated polymicrobial pathogen spectrum, possible concomitant injuries and pronounced soft tissue damage. Dog bites are the most common bite injuries but are less complicated to heal than human and cat bites. The location of the bite greatly depends on the age and the size of the bite victim as well as the type of bite perpetrator. In every case detection of the pathogen should be carried out to provide the best possible adapted treatment in the event of an exacerbation. The primary antibiotic treatment should be empirical with amoxicillin + clavulanic acid or ampicillin + sulbactam and, if necessary, adjusted according to the antibiogram. Depending on the findings, surgical treatment includes excision of the bite canal and a customized wound debridement. It is important to check the vaccination status of those involved and if indicated, to carry out postexposure prophylaxis for tetanus and rabies.

Animal Bite Injuries to the Face: A Retrospective Evaluation of 111 Cases

The treatment of bite wounds to the face is discussed controversially in relation to surgery and antibiotics. The aim of this study is a retrospective evaluation of 111 cases of animal bite injuries to the face that presented to our unit of oral and maxillofacial surgery over a 13-year period. Children under 10 years of age were predominantly involved. A total of 94.5% of the assessed injuries were caused by dogs. Wound infections occurred in 8.1%. Lackmann type II was the most common type of injury (36.9%). The perioral area was affected most frequently (40.5%). Primary wound closure was carried out in 74.8% of the cases. In 91.9% of the cases, antibiotic prophylaxis was prescribed. The most often administered type of antibiotic was amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (62.1%). Patients without antibiotics showed an increased infection rate without significance. Wound infections occurred significantly more frequently in wounds to the cheeks (p = 0.003) and when local flap reconstruction was necessary (p = 0.048). Compared to the other surgical treatment options, primary closure showed the lowest infection rates (4.8%, p = 0.029). We recommend antibiotic prophylaxis using amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and wound drains for wounds of Lackmann class II or higher. Primary closure seems to be the treatment of choice whenever possible.

Microbiological Characteristics and Surgical Management of Animal-Bite-Related Oral & Maxillofacial Injuries: A Single Center's Experience

The objective of the current study is to retrospectively evaluate animal-bite injuries and to gain insight into the epidemiology, accident consequences and treatment concept of these accidents in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Data of patients, who were admitted January 2015 and April 2021, were retrospectively evaluated regarding the patients’ characteristics (age, gender), facial distribution of substance defects/partial amputations, duration of hospitalization, operation treatments and antibiotic treatments. Data of 75 patients were included. Patients were bitten by dogs (n = 69.92%), cats (n = 4) and horses (n = 2). Lower eyelid/cheek complex was the most affected region (n = 37, 32.74%). Most of the patients between 0 and 3 years had to be operated on under general anesthesia (p = 0.011), while most of the adults could be operated on under local anesthesia (p = 0.007). In the age group 0–12 years, 30 patients (68%) were operated on under general anesthesia. Ampicillin/Sulbactam (48%) was the antibiotic most used. Antibiotics were adjusted after wound swabs in case of wound infections or critical wound conditions. This means that resistant antibiotics were stopped, and sensitive antibiotics were used. Structured surgical and antibiotic management of animal-bite wounds in the maxillofacial region is the most important factor for medical care to avoid long-term aesthetic consequences. Public health actions and policies under the leadership of an interdisciplinary committee could improve primary wound management, healing outcome and information status in the general population.

Animal and Human Bite Wounds

BACKGROUND

30,000 to 50,000 injuries are caused by bites in Germany every year. Dog and cat bites are common, human bites relatively rare. 25% of the victims are under age 6, and 34% are aged 6 to 17.

METHODS

This review is based on pertinent literature retrieved by a selective search and on the authors' clinical and scientific experience.

RESULTS

In small children, most bite wounds are on the head and neck; in older children and adolescents, most are on the limbs. Bite injuries range from trivial ones needing no medical intervention to major soft-tissue defects with the loss of functionally important structures. A bite can transmit unusual pathogens from the saliva into the wound. The risk of infection after a bite is 10-20%, and about 30-60% of the infections are of mixed aerobic-anaerobic origin. Prophylactic antibiotics are recommended only for wounds that are considered at high risk of infection in view of their type and location, the species of the biting animal, and the characteristics of the patient.

CONCLUSION

Structured surgical management of bite wounds is the most important factor in the prevention of infection. High-risk wounds must be differentiated from trivial ones. Interdisciplinary management is advisable for wounds on the hands and face.

Dog bite injury - alar repair with composite graft

Dog bite injuries are an important emergency. Facial dog bites can lead to disfigurement and stigmatization. Dog owners themselves are the usual victims of facial dog bites. Early surgery provides best results. A 28-year-old male patient presented 1 year after he had been bitten on his nose by his own dog. The pronounced nasal disfigurement with nostril stenosis was treated by reconstruction using a free composite graft from the crus of the ipsilateral ear with good results. Delayed reconstruction can provide satisfying results.