Evaluating Dog Bite-Induced Facial Trauma: A Study From a Single Tertiary Care Center

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Public health
• Veterinary medicine

Background:

• Dog bites to the face, head, or neck represent a significant public health concern.
• Pediatric populations are disproportionately affected by these injuries.
• Understanding the epidemiology of dog bites is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze demographic and clinical factors associated with dog bites to the face, head, or neck.
• To identify common dog breeds, injury locations, and causes of facial dog bites.
• To evaluate management strategies, including antibiotic use and post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies and tetanus.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study.
• Chart review of patients presenting with facial dog bite injuries from 2012 to 2023 at a single level 1 trauma center.
• Analysis of patient demographics, injury characteristics, management, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• A total of 906 patients with 2061 facial dog bite injuries were analyzed, with a median age of 7 years; 50.6% were female.
• Family dogs were responsible for 61.3% of injuries, with Pitbulls, Labradors, and German Shepherds being the most common breeds.
• Cheeks (25.9%), lips (20.8%), and nose (9.0%) were the most frequently injured areas; 17.0% of patients required hospital admission, and 16.9% needed operative repair.

Conclusions:

• Dog bites to the head and neck are common, frequently requiring medical intervention.
• Demographic and clinical data are vital for identifying disease burdens and informing targeted educational and preventative measures.
• Adherence to vaccination protocols and timely management are critical components in mitigating the impact of dog bite injuries.