Maxillofacial management of dog bites injuries in an infant: a case report

Abstract

Dog bites cause complex craniomaxillofacial injuries. Considering that the bite injuries are repeatedly situated on the face, dentist requires being well known with the therapy of animal bites. A three-year-old male child was attended as a victim of a Pit Bull terrier biting. The patient had multiple wounds at the level of the upper eyelid of the right eyeball, left hemisphere with the involvement of the auricular pavilion, wounds with multiple detachments on face and scalp, several abrasions and ecchymoses in the bilateral infraorbital and mouth region. The clinical intervention was completed in the first twenty-four hours after injury. The affected zones were cleaned and irrigated with saline solution, and the wounds were sutured in layers. Tetanus and anti-rabies vaccination, and antibiotic and analgesic were administered. On the fifth postoperative day, the stitches were removed, and the patient was discharged from the hospital. One week after the trauma, the child showed adequate wound curing absent of aggravation. Satisfactory aesthetic and functional results were achieved. Besides, in this case, the most relevant aspects of the management of dogs bites are presented.