Human Bite Injuries of the Hand at Sawanpracharak Hospital: 10 years of experience

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Published: Oct 31, 2010
Keywords:
Human bite injury fight bite clenched fist injury

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Oprasertsawat P, MD
Department of Orthopaedics, Sawanpracharak Hospital, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand

Abstract

Objective: To study patient characteristics, nature of injury, time to receive treatment, treatment procedure, and final outcome in patients with human bite injuries on the hand.


Methods: Retrospective, descriptive study in 45 patients with hand wounds from bites who were treated in Sawanpracharak Hospital from January 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2009. Data was collected from medical records and presented by descriptive statistics. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients who received treatment within 48 hours and after 48 hours by Exact test and t-test.


Results: All patients were males, mean age 29.2±9.0 years. 84.4% of the lesions were on the right hand and 57.8% of lesions were at the MCP joint of the middle finger. Radiology found nine fractured metacarpal heads and one narrowing joint space. 55.5% had cellulitis, 37.8% had open joint injury, and 22.2% had tendon injury. 33.3% of wound cultures had Streptococcus spp. and 22.2% had Staphylococcus spp. Of the 21 patients who completed follow-up, 71.4% showed a good final function outcome. Patients who received treatment within 48 hours revealed fewer cellulitis (45.7% vs. 90.0%, p= 0.027), a lower average length of hospital stay (2.3±1.5 vs 11.8 ± 8.7, p= 0.007), and less joint stiffness (6.3% vs 100.0%, p = 0.001) than those who did not.


Conclusion: Time from injury to treatment and appropriate treatment were important factors in reducing complications.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 34 No. 3-4 (2010): July-October
Section
Original Articles

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