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A study of primary closure of human bite injuries to the face
1School of Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Purpose:
This study evaluated the management of human bite injuries to the face during the period from May 1995 to April 1996.
Patients And Methods:
Data on 30 patients presenting with human bite injuries during this period were collected on specially designed forms. The information was pooled and analyzed. A standardized surgical treatment consisting of thorough debridement of the wound followed by primary closure either by direct suturing, a local flap, or skin grafting on the day of presentation was used. Most of the cases were treated under local anesthesia. Patients were prescribed tetanus prophylaxis and a course of antibiotics for 1 week. Suture removal was done 1 week postoperatively except for the skin grafts, which were uncovered at 10 days postoperation.
Results:
There were 21 males and 9 females ranging in age between 17 and 55 years, with a mean age of 31.8 years. Sixty-six percent of the bites involved the lips. The duration of injury before presentation ranged from 1 to 4 days. In 27 of the cases (90%), wound healing was complete at the time of suture removal.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that immediate closure of human bite injuries is safe, even with old injuries.