BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the management of immediate scalp reconstruction after dog bites. METHODS: There were 55 victims of dog bites on the head seen on the emergency room of the Plastic Surgery Unit, Hospital Regional da Asa Norte (HRAN, Brasília, DF, Brazil) from January, 1999 through December, 2001. RESULTS: Nine (16.4%) patients had extense injuries on the scalp. From these patients, seven (77.8%) were less than ten years old. The treatment was suture of the lesion of most cases (77,8%). The other cases (22.2%) were treated with graft of the scalp. There was no infection on this series of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that immediate closure of dog bite injuries to the scalp is safe, either by direct suturing or scap grafting.
Bits and Stings; Dogs; Scalp; Reconstruction
