Experience in the management of injuries from dog bite in the plastic and reconstructive surgery service at the general hospital of Zacatecas

Abstract

Background: Dog bite wounds are a public health problem present in our environment. We find them from superficial wounds to large wounds with devitalization and significant loss of tissues, in addition to presenting complications such as infections, aesthetic and functional sequelae that require specialized surgical treatment. Objective: To describe the experience of 3 years in the management of dog bite wounds in the plastic and reconstructive surgery service at the General Hospital of Zacatecas "Luz González Cosío". Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in which all the records of patients with dog bite wounds between March 2018 and February 2021 were included. The variables collected were sex, age, anatomical location, characteristics of the wound, and therapeutic management. Results: A total of 27 patients were obtained. 70.3% of the injuries occurred in children under 15 years of age. The most frequent location was the face and skull (44.4%). In 22 cases they were resolved only with cleaning, surgical debridement and primary closure. In 5 cases (18.6%) some specialized reconstructive process was required, 18.6% of the patients were hospitalized. All patients received antibiotic treatment (Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid). Conclusions: Complex wounds should be managed in a second or third level center with plastic and reconstructive surgery. Timely management of dog bite wounds improves the prognosis of patients. Most dog bite wounds can be treated with surgical grooming, debridement, and primary closure.

Tracheal injury from dog bite in a child

“…Wound management is critical in animal bites. It has been reported that with proper management (surgical grooming, edge debridement, and antibiotic prophylaxis), dog bites are less infectious and primary closure of the wound is possible [ 9 ]. This case also healed without infection with appropriate wound treatment and antibiotic prophylaxis.…”