Received 13 April 2008; received in revised form 13 November 2008; accepted 17 November 2008.
Objectives
1) Demonstrate patterns of dog bite injury to the head and neck in children. 2) Identify treatment outcomes of dog bite injuries to the head and neck.
Study Design
Case series with chart review.
Subjects and Methods
Children aged 0 to 19 years, treated for head and neck dog bites at our tertiary care children's hospital (1999-2007), were included. Demographics, dog breed and ownership, seasonal incidence, wound location, characteristics, management, and complications were recorded.
Results
Eighty-four children, aged 10 months to 19 years (mean, 6.19 years) underwent primary repair of head and neck dog bite injuries. The cheek (34%) and lips (21%) were involved most commonly. Average wound length was 7.15 cm. Dog bite incidence peaked during summer months. Infection occurred in 10.7 percent. Pulsed dye laser was used to improve cosmesis.
Conclusions
Children are vulnerable to head and neck dog bite injuries. Wound healing is excellent despite a contaminated wound. Infections occur infrequently. Pulsed dye laser improves cosmesis.
aDepartment of Otolaryngology, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York
bDepartment of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York
cWomen and Children's Hospital of Buffalo/Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York
ABSTRACT