[Primary management of fresh bite injuries of the face]

The danger of dog bites is often exaggerated. The reason for this is a gram negative bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which causes a serious infection within 12 h. Among 143 dog bites we saw only two of these infections. The bacterial swabs from the mouths of 20 dogs revealed E. coli in 43%, Streptococci in 33%, Proteus in 30%, Staph. epidermidis in 27% and Enterococci in 25%. Since the blood supply of the face is much more superior to that for instance of the legs, infections are rare and primary closure of wounds of dog and human bites is recommended. Additional drainage, hospitalisation and local and systemic antibiotics are possible. Open wound therapy in the face can be called obsolete.