Infection prevention and treatment following dog bites: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

Dog bites pose a significant global public health challenge, with outcomes that range from minor injuries to fatalities. Despite their prevalence, no consensus has been established regarding the most effective prevention and treatment strategies. This systematic review aimed to consolidate and evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of interventions in preventing and treating dog bites.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across the CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PubMed databases for RCTs published within the last 10 years. Studies were included if they focused on interventions to prevent or treat dog bites. Primary outcomes included the infection rate and recovery time of dog bites, the effectiveness of interventions in preventing or reducing bite severity, and associated health outcomes. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.

RESULTS

Five RCTs met the eligibility criteria, with a total of 1,148 participants. These studies examined various interventions, including medical techniques (medical glue, negative pressure wound therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy), wound management strategies (primary suturing versus non-suturing), and educational interventions. A meta-analysis of four studies revealed no significant difference in infection rates between the intervention and control groups (risk ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27-1.77; I2=62%; P=0.44). However, the interventions examined in each study demonstrated shorter recovery times (mean difference, 11.25 days; 95% CI, 8.44-14.07 days; I2=99%; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the included studies suggest potential benefits of certain interventions in treating dog bites, particularly in reducing recovery time, the evidence regarding infection prevention remains inconclusive. The limited number of high-quality RCTs in this field highlights the need for further research to establish evidence-based guidelines for dog bite prevention and treatment.

Perforating Cervical, Thoracic, and Abdominal Wounds

Most body wall injuries in small animals are caused by bite wounds or vehicular trauma. Penetrating gunshot wounds are less common. Bite wounds are characterized by massive trauma to the body wall with associated defects, but fewer internal injuries, whereas gunshot wounds are associated with a high number of internal injuries. Vehicular accident injuries are caused by blunt force trauma and can lead to both body wall defects and internal organ damage. Impalement injuries are rare and are typically associated with internal damage. Exploratory surgery, herniorrhaphy, and aggressive wound management are recommended in the treatment of these injuries.