Damage of facial soft tissues as a result of being bitten by a dog

Being bitten by a dog can have serious health effects. That is why, never underestimate even the smallest soft tissue injuries inflicted by aggressive animals. This incident may have an impact on the further condition of a patient. From our first aid will also depend the aesthetic and functional effect of the scar on the face. We should pay attention to the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. The aim of the study was to perform the analysis of the soft tissue bitten injuries made by dogs in patients treated in the years 2004‑2009 in the Clinic of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial and Oncological Surgery in Łódź. The most frequent attacked areas were analyzed in the cases of single and multiple face wounds. The dependence of the dog attacks and the alcohol consumption by the victims. The use of an early antibiotic prophylaxis and the number of the infectious complications.

The material studied is a group of 26 patients, including 17 women and 9 men. In the majority patients were older than 20 years old.

The analysis of our data shows that most of the victims were aged 19-30 and 51-60 years. 14 patients have been mutilated on one area of the face, the remaining patients at least two areas. Most injuries underwent upper or lower lip. In all cases, the initial supply has been applied to the wounds. Antibiotic prophylaxis was used in 23 patients. In one of the other three cases, patient who have not been applied to the prevention of complications in the form of phlegmon face. Half of the attack dogs have been known to the victims. All patients had implemented prevention of tetanus, or held-to-date vaccinations. In eight cases, patients reported that at the time of the event they were under the influence of alcohol.

Primary supply of bitten wounds of face at the moment seems to be the standard. In our study, in cases where patients has been treated with an antibiotic, there was no case of infection in the wound. Late complication in the form of phlegmon occurred in one patient who had not used prophylaxis. As the most of the authors note lower lip is the most vulnerable for the bite in the case of adult people. Analysis of our data is consistent with these reports. It has also been found that people under the influence of alcohol are often attacked by unknown dogs.