Abstract
Background: Facial dog bite injuries result in significant emotional, psychological, and physical
trauma to the victims involved and should be considered a significant health issue.
The purpose of this study is to share our experience in the management and to add
to the existing medical literature regarding the epidemiological patterns of facial
dog bite injuries.
Materials and Methods: This is a single-center retrospective observational study conducted at Dr. RML Hospital,
New Delhi, from January 2021 to January 2022. A total of 105 patients were included.
The wounds were managed according to the recommendations made by the national rabies
control program and surgical intervention was performed in the form of primary suturing
or flap cover.
Results: Children of age group 0 to 10 years are most commonly affected. Pet dogs are the
cause in 61% of cases and 57.1% of bites were provoked. Midface is most commonly affected
and modified Lackmann's class 3A and 3B are the most common wounds.
Conclusion: In view of raising incidence of dog bites with pet dogs, the general public needs
to be educated regarding the practices to prevent these injuries. Postexposure prophylaxis
should be given to all affected individuals irrespective of the vaccination status
of the dog. Immediate surgical intervention gives better results.
Keywords
face - dog bites - rabies post exposure prophylaxis - primary suturing - flap cover
