[Severe necrotic inflammation after human bite injuries]

Human bites are highly infected wounds and must, therefore, be treated either under hospitalization or strict and regular ambulatory control. An X-ray should be taken to detect any foreign body or pathological bone changes. Exact bacteriological sampling for aerobic as well as anaerobic bacteria, surgical wound toilet, immobilisation of the extremity and the application of combined broadspectrum antibiotics are necessary measures. Surgical debridement should take place under regional or general anaesthesia and tourniquet. In neglected cases it may be necessary to sacrifice a fingertip or even an entire finger to prevent excessive and uncontrolled spread of the infection to the neighboring tissue.