title: [Bite injuries of the hand].
abstract: Bite injuries of the hand have a clearly increased risk for infection compared with other regions. Surgical treatment of the wound is indicated, and the debridement must be done thoroughly and with consideration of the wound closure. Antibiotic therapy may be indicated in addition to the surgery if signs of infection exist. Antibiotics alone are not a suitable treatment. Common complications in cases of deficient primary therapy are flexor tenosynovitis, purulent arthritis, and phlegmons of the dorsal hand. These are emergencies and need immediate surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland. philipp.lichte@googlemail.com
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lichte
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kobbe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taeger
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nast-Kolb
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hierner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oberbeck
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents