Camel Bite Injury to the Face in an Adult Patient: Skin Closure Controversy

Animal bite injuries are prevalent worldwide. Camel bites, as a cause, are relatively rare. Male camels are particularly aggressive, especially during the rutting season. These injuries, when inflicted over the face, have a disfiguration effect with possible psychological repercussions to the patient. The surgical management of facial camel bite is described sporadically and remains a source of deliberation. Our paper reports the mechanism and management of facial soft tissue injury inflicted by camel bite over the face in an adult male with long-time follow-up for the patient post surgical repair without any documented complications. This case report demonstrates the complex nature of camel bite injuries over the face. Inappropriate wound management may result in long-term sequelae, which may affect the patient’s quality of life. Individuals should apply caution when dealing with camels, mainly in the rutting season. Primary skin closure, especially to the face or neck, and proper wound management will decrease the risk of permanent scars and infections.

Camel bite: An uncommon mode of maxillofacial injury, its mechanism and fatality: Case series and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Maxillofacial injuries are presented with many different patterns. It mostly depends upon the mode of injury like physical assault, road traffic accidents, occupational injuries, fall, sport injuries and animal attacks. Animals bites are common with wild animals but attack from an otherwise calm animal like camel is unusual and unexpected. They may cause a severe kind of maxillofacial injury which ranges from minor lacerations to total loss of soft and hard tissues. Such incidences are frequently seen in Rajasthan, India where camels are kept as a pet. Present study throws light on literature related to animal bite injuries and their management along with our experience with camel bite injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients (19 male and 1 female) of different age groups with variable extent of maxillofacial trauma induced by camel attacks were included in the study. Among them, different patterns of maxillofacial injuries were observed involving both soft and hard tissue.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

This study provides the comprehensive incidence, pathophysiology, and management of camel inflicted injuries. Understanding the behavior patterns of this animal may prevent such severe injuries.