Human bite losses of the lower lip

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Human bites are an uncommon cause of facial trauma.
• Lower lip injuries can result in significant functional and aesthetic deficits.
• Data on human bite-related lower lip reconstruction is limited, especially from African settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present cases of lower lip loss due to human bites.
• To describe the management and surgical repair techniques employed.
• To contribute to the understanding of human bite injuries in a Nigerian context.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 16 patients with lower lip loss from human bites over a two-year period.
• Documentation of initial wound management protocols.
• Description of surgical reconstruction methods utilized.

Main Results:

• Sixteen cases of lower lip loss from human bites were identified.
• Details of early wound care and surgical interventions are provided.
• Successful functional and aesthetic outcomes were achieved through various repair techniques.

Conclusions:

• Human bites pose a reconstructive challenge for lower lip defects.
• Prompt and appropriate management, including surgical repair, is crucial for optimal outcomes.
• This case series highlights the incidence and management of such injuries in Nigeria.