title: The human bite injury: a clinical audit and discussion regarding the management of this alcohol fuelled phenomenon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human bite injuries are both deceptive and challenging in their presentation and management. They remain a frequent presentation to our unit, most often following late night alcohol fuelled aggression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To audit the management of these wounds, with particular focus on infective complications and outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three year retrospective chart review was undertaken on all patients referred to the plastic surgery unit from 1 January 2003 through to 31 December 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 92 patients with 96 human bite wounds were identified. The majority were male (92%). Alcohol consumption was documented in 86% of cases. The majority (70%) occurred over the weekend or on a public holiday. Facial injuries made up 70% of injuries with the remainder being to the upper limb. The ear was the most common target of all facial injuries (65%). Infection was documented in 18 cases (20%), with bite injuries to the upper limb and those presenting late (>12 h) having a higher incidence of infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human bite wounds present a challenge to any emergency department, given the many issues involved in their management. Underestimation of the complexity and potential sequelae of these wounds will result in a suboptimal outcome for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. fhenry@rcsi.ie
authors.forename: Francis P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Eadie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001734:Bites, Human / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004423:Ear / Q000293:injuries; D004630:Emergencies; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000293:injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014754:Violence; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology