Barking up the wrong tree? A survey of dog bite wound management.
OBJECTIVE
Several trials have been published examining the role of antibiotics in dog bite wound management. A meta-analysis of these suggests that there is very little benefit to routine antibiotic prescription in these patients. All papers however incorporated rigorous wound care regimens involving large volume irrigation.


METHODS
The authors undertook a telephone survey to investigate wound care and prescribing practice in bite wound management in accident and emergency and minor injury units in the Yorkshire region.


RESULTS
Twenty one departments were contacted. Only 10% of departments routinely irrigate these wounds. Antibiotics are prescribed routinely in 71%.


CONCLUSIONS
Management of dog bite wounds would not seem to be evidence based in most departments in this sample.
Smith
M R
MR
Emergency Department, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK.
Walker
A
A
Brenchley
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004739:England; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents