title: Mammalian bite injuries to the hand and their management.
abstract: Bite wounds are a common form of hand injury with the potential to lead to severe local and systemic sequelae and permanent functional impairment. Mammalian bite wounds may be caused by a variety of animal class and species; injuries resulting from dogs, cats and humans are the most widely discussed and reported in the literature. Bite wounds may be contaminated with aggressive pathogens and the anatomical vulnerability of structures within the hand means that without early recognition and treatment with irrigation and antibiotics, alongside a low index of suspicion for deep structural involvement requiring formal surgical exploration and washout, the consequences of such injuries can be disastrous. We review the literature and discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology and microbiology relating to these injuries, as well as clinical aspects including signs, symptoms, and management.
authors: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, Kingston, London, UK.
authors: Shilpa
authors: S
authors: Jha
authors: University College London Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, London, UK.
authors: Wasim S
authors: WS
authors: Khan
authors: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, Kingston, London, UK.
authors: Nashat A
authors: NA
authors: Siddiqui
keywords: Bite injuries; cat bite; dog bite; hand; human bite.