Introduction Animal bites are very common injury wounds are to which the man are subjected. Biting is a natural instinct of animals, and a large percentage of these bites are located on the face (15%), thus requiring intervention by a plastic & reconstructive surgeon. Children have more than twice the risk of adults, and those aged 0 to 9 years are more likely to suffer higher injury rates. Bite wounds have always been considered complex injuries infected by polymicrobial flora. Animal bites result in tissue injury through a variety of mechanisms, including crush injuries, punctures, lacerations, avulsions, and, less commonly, fractures. Management of bite injuries may range from primary evaluation and examination of the wound, cleansing and irrigation with normal saline, and surgical debridement of devitalized tissue. Surgical intervention was done after 3rd dose of vaccine, but in large lacerated wounds, tagging sutures were applied to prevent retraction of skin; later on, delayed repair was performed. Wounds with facial nerve injury, defects of the nose, eyelids, and ear may require a more complex form of reconstruction. Material & Methods A total of 35 cases with facial wounds inflicted due to animal bites were reported to the Emergency Department of Plastic  Surgery, SMS Medical College and Hospital, from June 2022 to June 2024. Results 35 patients with post-animal bite were managed by various standard ways in our study. The majority of patients had reported to us within 24 hours.  23patients were treated with primary closure of the wound after debridement, 4 patients required a forehead flap for nasal defect, 4 patients required skin graft, 2 patients required Karapanazi’s flap for lip defect, 1 patient required Dieffenbach flap for helical defect, 1 patient treated with fricke’s flap for eyelid defect. Postoperative complications are minimal; one patient had a donor site infection over the forehead, which was managed conservatively. all patients were discharged early on post of day 4, In the follow-up period, one patient had wound dehiscence, which was treated with re-suturing. Conclusion Animal bite is a common problem in India and a very common injury presented to the emergency department, which may affect to physical, social, psychological, and mental health of patients. The majority of victims are children due to underdeveloped motor skills  & protective skills; the head & neck were the most commonly involved areas. The majority of grade 3 bites include superficial OR partial thickness laceration, which require primary repair after vaccinations, whereas complex wounds require vigorous debridement with antibiotic coverage and complex reconstructive procedure. Social awareness is required to prevent morbidity and mortality caused by animal bites, as early healthcare facilities and intervention may lead to better outcomes.

Management of Animal Bite Injuries To Head and Neck

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月27日

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Rajkumar Meena,
Amit Kumar Sharma,
Ravikanta Negi,
Saurabh Sharma

摘要

Introduction

Animal bites are very common injury wounds are to which the man are subjected. Biting is a natural instinct of animals, and a large percentage of these bites are located on the face (15%), thus requiring intervention by a plastic & reconstructive surgeon. Children have more than twice the risk of adults, and those aged 0 to 9 years are more likely to suffer higher injury rates. Bite wounds have always been considered complex injuries infected by polymicrobial flora. Animal bites result in tissue injury through a variety of mechanisms, including crush injuries, punctures, lacerations, avulsions, and, less commonly, fractures. Management of bite injuries may range from primary evaluation and examination of the wound, cleansing and irrigation with normal saline, and surgical debridement of devitalized tissue. Surgical intervention was done after 3rd dose of vaccine, but in large lacerated wounds, tagging sutures were applied to prevent retraction of skin; later on, delayed repair was performed. Wounds with facial nerve injury, defects of the nose, eyelids, and ear may require a more complex form of reconstruction.

Material & Methods

A total of 35 cases with facial wounds inflicted due to animal bites were reported to the Emergency Department of Plastic Surgery, SMS Medical College and Hospital, from June 2022 to June 2024.

Results

35 patients with post-animal bite were managed by various standard ways in our study. The majority of patients had reported to us within 24 hours. 23patients were treated with primary closure of the wound after debridement, 4 patients required a forehead flap for nasal defect, 4 patients required skin graft, 2 patients required Karapanazi’s flap for lip defect, 1 patient required Dieffenbach flap for helical defect, 1 patient treated with fricke’s flap for eyelid defect. Postoperative complications are minimal; one patient had a donor site infection over the forehead, which was managed conservatively. all patients were discharged early on post of day 4, In the follow-up period, one patient had wound dehiscence, which was treated with re-suturing.

Conclusion

Animal bite is a common problem in India and a very common injury presented to the emergency department, which may affect to physical, social, psychological, and mental health of patients. The majority of victims are children due to underdeveloped motor skills & protective skills; the head & neck were the most commonly involved areas. The majority of grade 3 bites include superficial OR partial thickness laceration, which require primary repair after vaccinations, whereas complex wounds require vigorous debridement with antibiotic coverage and complex reconstructive procedure. Social awareness is required to prevent morbidity and mortality caused by animal bites, as early healthcare facilities and intervention may lead to better outcomes.