Animal Inflicted Maxillofacial Injuries: Treatment Modalities and Our Experience

Abstract

For bite injuries on face, immediate primary wound repair after meticulous wound debridement and irrigation with sufficient volume added by antibiotic prophylaxis gives good cosmetic results with minimum risk of infection. Depending upon type of attack and age of victims, psychiatric or social counseling may also be required.

Mutilating Nose Injury by Softshell Turtle (labi-labi) Bite: A Rare Case

“…If the latter does happen to the face, there are risks of (a) complex injuries to the soft and hard tissues (which present as perforations, lacerations, crushes, avulsions, or fractures), as well as (b) infections due to the presence of copious bacteria and viruses in such injuries. 2,3 In light of extensive blood supply to the face and scalp, infection rates are low (usually < 6%). 4,5 Many studies have reported that the frequency of wound infections was < 5%, but a few have quoted higher values, with a maximum of 30%.…”

“…However, the effects of disfigurement usually remain, oftentimes with psychological scarring as well. 2 In all cases of animal-inflicted injuries to the face, advanced trauma life support (ATLS) should be done, especially cervical spine immobilization and neurological evaluation. This is because large animals can injure, crush, or shake the cranium, hence injuring the cervical spine.…”

“…A detailed head-to-toe examination is required, with special attention to specialized structures like the eyes, parotid ducts, facial nerve, and the nasolacrimal system. 2 The treatment of injuries caused by animals should take into account the following factors: soft tissue defects, neurovascular and bone injuries, as well as infection prevention. 2,3 Generally, bite injuries on the face require meticulous wound debridement and generous irrigation, followed by immediate primary repair.…”

“…2 The treatment of injuries caused by animals should take into account the following factors: soft tissue defects, neurovascular and bone injuries, as well as infection prevention. 2,3 Generally, bite injuries on the face require meticulous wound debridement and generous irrigation, followed by immediate primary repair. 2,3 These measures, in addition to prophylactic antibiotics, give good cosmetic results with minimum risk of infection.…”

“…2,3 Generally, bite injuries on the face require meticulous wound debridement and generous irrigation, followed by immediate primary repair. 2,3 These measures, in addition to prophylactic antibiotics, give good cosmetic results with minimum risk of infection. Psychiatric or social counseling may also be required, depending on the degree of psychological trauma.…”