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Animal bite injuries to the head: 132 cases
Marco Rainer Kesting1, Frank Hölzle, Christian Pox
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany. marco.kesting@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
The British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
|August 2, 2005
Summary
Dog bite injuries require prompt treatment. Antibiotic prophylaxis with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is recommended to prevent wound infections, even with primary wound closure.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Bite injuries, particularly from dogs, are common in craniomaxillofacial surgery.
- Timely presentation and appropriate management are crucial for reducing complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of treating bite injuries.
- To determine the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis and primary wound closure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 132 patients treated for bite injuries.
- Analysis of patient demographics, injury characteristics, treatment protocols, and infection rates.
Main Results:
- Dogs caused 92% of injuries, with lips being the most affected area.
- Patients presenting within 6 hours had fewer wound infections.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid prophylaxis resulted in no wound infections.
- Primary wound closure was successful even in infected wounds.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic prophylaxis is essential for managing bite injuries.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is the recommended first-choice antibiotic.
- Primary wound closure is a viable and effective surgical principle.