Animal bites to the head and neck

There is controversy regarding the timing of repair and the use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with animal bites to the head and neck. In this paper we review our experience with such wounds, and address surgical management and the use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy. A retrospective review of the medical records of 29 patients with animal bites to the head and neck was conducted. All patients were seen and treated at a large teaching hospital in Houston, Texas over an 18-month period. Seventy-six percent of our patients were 12 years old or younger. Most came to the emergency room soon after sustaining their injuries, and their wounds were repaired primarily with favorable results. There were no cases of wound infection. Ninety percent were treated with prophylactic antibiotics. The wounds of the 10% of patients who did receive antibiotics were similar to those of the other patients and healed well without infection. Wounds resulting from animal bites to the head and neck can be repaired primarily when treated shortly after injury. Further prospective, randomized studies are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness and necessity of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in this patient population.