Epidemiology and Reconstruction Options of Dog Bite Injuries

Objective: In this study, our goal was to evaluate the appropriate therapeutic modalities for the patients referred to the Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic between 2002 and 2013. Material and Methods: A total of 84 patients evaluated at either the Emergency Department or our clinic were included. All cases were assessed for their demographic variables, environmental and seasonal factors, anatomic region of the wound, characteristics of the injury, and prognosis of the patient. Statistical tests were performed comparing universal ratios and applying chi-square tests. Results: 84 patients’ wounds were classified into anatomic regions as 48.8% upper extremity, 19.0% lower extremity, 16.6% head and neck region, 10.8% body, 4.8% multiple site injuries. 55 patients (65.4%) were male. 23 patients lived in rural areas (27.4%), compared to 61 living in urban areas (72.6%). 63 injuries (75%) were caused by pets, but only 21 (25%) were related to stray dogs. 77 of the 84 injuries (91.6%) were isolated to connective tissue, compared to 5 injuries (6%) with tendon damage and 2 injuries (2.4%) with nerve and vessel damage. Conclusion: As the number of pet dogs increase, dog bite injuries are becoming more commonplace all around the world. The face and extremities are the most common injury sites. Management of these injuries by a plastic surgeon is of utmost importance to achieve better cosmetic and functional results.