Human fight-bite injuries of the hand. A study of 100 cases within 18 months.

100 consecutive patients whose finger had been bitten by another person, or who had cut it on a tooth in a fight, have been studied. 82 healed completely but 18 eventually needed amputation. Early and thorough debridement is required, plus a suitable mixture of antibiotics. Once infection is established in bone or tendon sheath, amputation is often needed, but most infected joints can be saved.