title: Contemporary update on the treatment of dog bite: injuries to the oral and maxillofacial region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present retrospective record review was to evaluate the patient demographics, treatment rendered, and long-term outcomes of patients injured in dog bite attacks to the oral and maxillofacial region.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, a retrospective medical record review was conducted of patients treated by the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at the University of Tennessee Medical Center who had presented with injuries to the head, neck, and face region from dog bite attacks from February 1, 2006 to October 31, 2013. Each patient included had to have had at least 1 follow-up visit. The data obtained from the patients' medical records included patient demographics, event details, injuries sustained, and treatment rendered and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The medical records from 20 patients were included and reviewed. More than one half (60%) of the patients were younger than 12 years old. The dog was owned by the patient or a relative in 58% of the cases. The children sustained injuries requiring hospital admission and repair in an operating room setting more often than did the adults. Pit bulls were more frequently associated with injuries than other breeds (9 of 20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our patients required a total of 28 hospital inpatient days, 29 total procedures, and follow-up treatment for up to 2 years. Our review has shown the complexity of soft tissue injury treatment and the significant financial impact associated with dog bite injuries owing to the multiple hospital admissions, surgical revisions, and lengthy follow-up period required.
authors: Chief Resident, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. Electronic address: mfoster@utmck.edu.
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Foster
authors: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN.
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004285:Dogs; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011819:Rabies Vaccines