Child's facial injury due to dog bite: UKL pediatric surgeon advocates for enhanced protection measures for children

In a concerning development, the head of the pediatric surgery department at Leipzig University Hospital, Prof. Martin Lacher, has observed a rising trend of severe dog bite injuries in children. This year, the hospital has treated 10 children with dog bite injuries, compared to 24 last year.

Prof. Lacher, an expert in his field, emphasizes the need for adults to take more responsibility in protecting children from dog attacks. Particularly, he stresses the importance of implementing protective measures such as rules for children when interacting with dogs and training for dog owners, especially family dogs, to increase 'dog-child competence'.

Face bites, especially to the nose, present a significant challenge to surgical teams. It requires considerable expertise in nasal correction to achieve a satisfactory result in treating dog bite injuries on the nose. In such cases, surgery is often necessary. Collaboration with ENT and plastic surgeons is common in treating dog bite injuries on children's faces.

The average age of the children treated at Leipzig University Hospital after dog bite incidents is six years old. Large dogs often bite children's heads and faces, leaving visible and disfiguring scars, even with modern medical treatment. These injuries not only leave physical scars but also shape the entire life of the children, often accompanied by psychological wounds that never fully heal.

Bite wounds should always be medically examined, and all tissue parts torn off by a bite should be brought along for emergency treatment. In cases of facial or hand injuries, a specialist should be consulted early to at least reduce late effects.

The organization collaborating with the Pediatric Surgery and the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at the Leipzig University Hospital to minimize the consequences of dog bite injuries in children is not explicitly mentioned in the provided search results. However, the increasing number of dog bite incidents nationwide underscores the need for such collaborative efforts.

Prof. Lacher appeals to adults to be vigilant and proactive in protecting children from dog attacks. Even small bite wounds can lead to serious infections, and large dogs attacking children are often overwhelmingly superior, and cannot be held back by the owner. He encourages everyone to prioritize the safety and well-being of children in their interactions with dogs.

Child's facial injury due to dog bite: UKL pediatric surgeon advocates for enhanced protection measures for children