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Human bite wounds: a swiss emergency department experience
Malek Tabbara1, Panagiota Hatzigianni2, Christoph Fux2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland;
Wounds : a Compendium of Clinical Research and Practice
|April 16, 2015
Summary
Human bites require prompt medical attention due to high infection risks. Early treatment and proper documentation are key to preventing complications and systemic infections from these common emergency department injuries.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Human bites (HB) are a frequent cause of emergency department visits, ranking third after dog and cat bites.
- The oral flora in human mouths presents a significant risk for infection following a bite.
- Effective management of human bites is crucial to prevent infections and associated complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics, management, and outcomes of human bite injuries.
- To identify key factors in preventing infection and systemic disease transmission from human bites.
- To advocate for standardized management protocols in emergency departments for human bites.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 104 human bite cases over a 10-year period.
- Data collected included diagnosis, treatment strategies, and patient outcomes.
- Analysis of surgical interventions, antibiotic use, tetanus prophylaxis, and serology testing.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients were male (4:1 ratio), with most injuries affecting the hands and fingers (51%).
- Over 60% received antibiotic therapy, and 84.6% had updated tetanus prophylaxis.
- Only 40.4% underwent post-bite serology for bloodborne viruses, with no positive results.
Conclusions:
- Effective human bite management aims to reduce infection risk and prevent systemic infections like Hepatitis B/C and HIV.
- Implementing accurate documentation and a standardized management algorithm in emergency departments is recommended.
- Prompt recognition and aggressive treatment are essential for optimal patient outcomes following human bites.
