The Surgical Repair of an Avulsion Dog Bite and Scar Revision in Highly Melanated Skin: A Case Report

Dog bites are one of the most common injuries in the United States, with varying presentations such as avulsion injuries and lacerations, and they range from a single bite to multiple bites in a victim. The severity of the dog bite is often the biggest factor in determining the treatment course. This report discusses the treatment of a 60-year-old male with severe facial avulsion trauma from a dog bite. The initial treatment involved debridement and grafting using salvaged tissue. Due to the high risk of cosmetic complications such as hypertrophic scarring and keloids in individuals with high melanin content, a secondary scar revision was planned to enhance aesthetic outcomes. The use of salvaged tissue for grafting, followed by scar revision, proved effective in minimizing disfigurement and improving patient satisfaction. This approach was chosen due to the heightened risk of keloid and hypertrophic scarring in patients with high melanin content, highlighting the importance of tailored surgical strategies. The findings suggest that using salvaged tissue combined with strategic scar revision can significantly improve cosmetic and functional results in complex dog bite injuries.