Injuries from bear (Ursus thibetanus) attacks in Kashmir.
BACKGROUND
Strict conservation of wildlife and encroachment into its habitat have led to an increase in the number of wild animal-inflicted injuries and fatalities in Kashmir. The aim of this study was to report injuries inflicted during bear attacks and discuss their management and sequelae.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics Government Medical College Srinagar, University of Kashmir, from January 2003 to June 2007. A total of 254 cases (186 males, 68 females) with history of bear attacks were recorded over a period of 54 months.


RESULTS
Eighty percent of victims were attacked in the maize fields and apple orchards and 20% in the dense forests while collecting firewood or tending to the cattle. Lacerations of the head and neck and fractures of the upper limbs and facial and skull bones were the striking observations. Permanent facial disfigurement, hearing loss, loss of digits, residual neurodeficit, and persistent psychological morbidity were the long-term sequelae in most of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Wild animal-inflicted injuries are a neglected part of trauma. There should be a high index of suspicion when treating these injuries, as serious underlying bone or soft-tissue damage can be overlooked. Management of these injuries involves all subspecialties of trauma to achieve the best functional outcome.
Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College Srinagar, University of Kashmir, Kashmir, India. shafaatrashid@gmail.com
Shafaat Rashid
SR
Tak
Gh Nabi
GN
Dar
Manzoor Ahmed
MA
Halwai
Bashir Ahmed
BA
Mir
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002648:Child; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001503:Ursidae; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery