Surgical treatment in severe dog bites injures in pediatric children

INTRODUCTION: We report a retrospective study of dog-bitten-children who underwent surgical treatment in our department between 1995 and 2005. We checked the different surgical techniques used to cover the defect as well as short and long-term functional and aesthetic results, considering also infection and hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During this period of time, 21 patients received surgical treatment because of dogs bites. Surgical approach was decided considering location and severity of lessions. RESULTS: Our serie consists of 12 males and 9 females. Head (71%) and extremities (23%) were the most frequent affected areas. Primary closure was carried out in 18 cases and in the remaining 3 artificial skin or tissue flaps were needed; in these 3 cases the resulting scar was later removed. Surgical infection occurred in less than 10% of the children and in all cases, long-term aesthetic results were considered excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Primary closure of dog-bites-injures improves functional and aesthetic results and reduces the surgical procedures in those patients. Language: es