The Multifaceted Burden of Dog Bite Injuries: A Retrospective Study From an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Unit
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Published on: August 22, 2022
Elvita Martis1, Lucy Masson2, Farzad Borumandi3
1Junior Resident, Maxillofacial Unit, St Richards Hospital, Chichester, UK.
Background:
Dog bite injuries (DBIs) are a common cause of facial trauma injuries requiring oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) input. They can present a dual burden of physical trauma and long-term psychological morbidity, yet these effects remain underrecognized and under-supported.
Purpose:
This study aims to quantify the OMS workload associated with DBI's and identify the physical and psychological outcomes experienced by victims of these injuries.
Study Design, Setting, Sample:
Retrospective case series of dog-related injuries presenting to the OMS department from January 2020 to February 2025. The study was conducted in the OMS department of St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, UK. The exclusion criteria were nondog-related injuries, nonbite injuries from dogs, wounds not in the face or neck region, or other indications of admission.
Predictor Variable:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Variable:
The primary outcome was OMS service workload from head and neck DBIs measured by emergency department presentations, need for operative management, and operative time. The secondary outcome variable was long-term morbidity defined as the presence of persistent physical complications and psychological sequelae following the DBI.
Covariates:
Subject demographics - age and sex. Injury characteristics - time of presentation, number, location, and type of wound. Dog-related and bite-related characteristics such as relationship of the dog to the victim, provocation, and breed of the dog.
Analyses:
Descriptive statistics summarize sample characteristics.
Results:
During the study interval, 3,097 subjects presented with animal-related injuries, of whom 784 (25.31%) sustained dog bites. Ninety-one (11.61%) subjects met the inclusion criteria, all requiring OMS assessment. Operative treatment was required in 73 (80.22%) subjects, of whom 40(44.0%) required a procedure under general anesthesia. The mean operative time was 30.8 ± 22.3 minutes. Of the 91 subjects included in the study, 55 (60.44%) completed the telephone survey. Among these 55 respondents, 22 (40%) reported physical complications and 25 (45.45%) reported psychological complications. Only 2 of the 55 respondents (3.64%) had received psychological support.
Conclusion And Relevance:
DBIs contribute to OMS workload, frequently require operative management, and may be associated with persistent physical and psychological morbidity. The findings suggest a potential role for greater emphasis on psychological support and strengthened prevention strategies.
