title: [Infected animal bite injuries of the extremities].
abstract: The appearance of animal bite injuries varies in regard to location and extent. Injuries with puncture wounds involving the extremities carry great risk of infection. Managing the complications often requires substantial medical treatment and increased costs. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the course of disease, medical care, and treatment costs in patients with infected bite injuries. In the year 2000, 16 patients were treated for infection after bite injuries of the extremities. Fourteen patients received substandard therapy because of incorrect assessment of the extent of the bite wound. Because of infection, the average time needed for treatment before returning to work was 3 months, including 12 days of hospitalization and 16 days of out-patient treatment. The average treatment costs exceeded 6,100 Euro for the health insurance companies. Because of its increasing prevalence and inadequate treatment, this type of injury has become a serious public health problem.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Hand-, Plastische- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinik Ulm. thomas.ebinger@medizin.uni-ulm.de
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ebinger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rösch
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katzmaier
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Wachter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mentzel
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006224:Cricetinae; D004285:Dogs; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008875:Middle Aged; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics; D013552:Swine; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents