[Dog bite wounds: characteristics and therapeutic principles].

Dog bite wounds are a common problem and children are the age group at highest risk. Wounds are often multiple and generally involve the face or the limbs. Injuries include punctures, crushes, lacerations and avulsions of flaps. The well-know prevalence of facial injuries can pose some difficult reconstructive problems. Infections are not rare even in well-treated cases. The Authors report the last ten cases which they have treated and on the basis of their experience and of the literature suggest guidelines for effective treatment. A prophylactic antibiotic therapy and tetanus immunization are the basis of rational medical therapy. Wounds should be immediately sutured after careful debridement and through irrigation, unless they are heavily contaminated or located on the hand.