Maxillofacial injury from a leopard attack.

ABSTRACT

Although leopards are found worldwide, the incidence of leopard attack on humans is reported most often from India and Nepal. Usually, leopards avoid contact with people, but humans may occasionally be targeted as prey. Animal bite wounds may express as punctures, abrasions, tears, or avulsions. The force and bluntness of the teeth increase the probability of a crush injury with devitalized tissue. The clinical presentation and appropriate treatment of infected bite wounds vary according to extent of the wound. These wounds are considered complex injuries infected with a unique polymicrobial inoculum. As the bite injuries are commonly found on the face, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon should be familiar with the management of animal bites. This article reviews a case of a victim attacked by the leopard, the treatment provided to the victim, and brief notes on the management of such facial animal bite injuries.