The primary closure approach of dog bite injuries of the nose

J Craniofac Surg. 2014 May;25(3):e216-8. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000000553.

Abstract

The nose holds an outstanding position on the face, acquiring great importance within the context of facial aesthetics. Because of the functional, psychological, and social aspects of trauma in a society increasingly demanding about aesthetics, treatment institution must reduce, as accurate as possible, the sequelae that hinder social integration. This clinical report relates an immediate nasal reconstruction of a complex animal bite wound. A 7-year-old patient was victim of a dog bite with avulsion of the left nasal ala and part of the ipsilateral nasal tip. The treatment was immediate nasal reconstruction with auricular composite graft. After 1 year of follow-up, the shape of nasal ala was stable, and the color was consistent with the surrounding tissue. The 2 nasal sides exhibited satisfactory symmetry when evaluated. It can be concluded that the composite graft derived from the auricular helix is a safe option for reconstruction of nasal ala defects with compromised margins in pediatric patients when conditions of reimplantation do not exist.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / surgery*
  • Child
  • Dogs*
  • Ear Auricle / surgery
  • Ear Cartilage / transplantation
  • Esthetics
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Nasal Cartilages / injuries*
  • Nasal Cartilages / surgery
  • Nose / injuries*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods*
  • Rhinoplasty / methods*
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / surgery
  • Transplant Donor Site / surgery