Muñoz Gelvez1, Ruben Enrique2, Golaszewski Gajos2, Jose Bladimir2, Diaz Carvajal2, Alvaro Luis2. 1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, "Dr. Angel Larralde" University Hospital, Carabobo University, Altos De La Colina De Bárbula 15-25, Naguanagua, Carabobo, 2042, Venezuela. postgradomaxilofacial@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, "Dr. Angel Larralde" University Hospital, Carabobo University, Altos De La Colina De Bárbula 15-25, Naguanagua, Carabobo, 2042, Venezuela.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Animal bite injuries to the head and neck regions are an important public health problem. Most of these bites are from dogs. A 10-year retrospective study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of animal and human bites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was done from January 2011 to December 2016 and included 387 patients with a mean age of 21.51 years. Data collection included age, sex, days of hospitalization, lesion type, and clinical management. RESULTS: Majority of patients were in age group of 21-29 years, followed by 31-55 years. Out of the total 281 patients, 42 patients (51.60%) were males and 34 patients (48.40%) were females. Mean hospital stay was 7.2 days with a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 12 days. Surgical management included cleansing and primary closure of the wound. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the use of empiric antibiotic prophylaxis is essential for management of facial animal bite, and the antibiotic of first choice is amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. The aim of immediate surgical repair (< 6 h) is to avoid infections. The persistence of dog bite is public health problem in Venezuela.
INTRODUCTION: Animal bite injuries to the head and neck regions are an important public health problem. Most of these bites are from dogs. A 10-year retrospective study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of animal and human bites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was done from January 2011 to December 2016 and included 387 patients with a mean age of 21.51 years. Data collection included age, sex, days of hospitalization, lesion type, and clinical management. RESULTS: Majority of patients were in age group of 21-29 years, followed by 31-55 years. Out of the total 281 patients, 42 patients (51.60%) were males and 34 patients (48.40%) were females. Mean hospital stay was 7.2 days with a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 12 days. Surgical management included cleansing and primary closure of the wound. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the use of empiric antibiotic prophylaxis is essential for management of facial animal bite, and the antibiotic of first choice is amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. The aim of immediate surgical repair (< 6 h) is to avoid infections. The persistence of dog bite is public health problem in Venezuela.
Entities:
Keywords:
Dog bite; Facial wounds; Prevalence; Retrospective study