Two cases of multiple facial lacerations caused by a black bear

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Vol. 53; no. 12; pp. 732 - 735
• Main Authors: SHIMOMURA, Hiroyuki, KIRITA, Tadaaki, TAMAKI, Shigehiro, SHIMOMURA, Tadahiro, YAMAMOTO, Kazuhiko, YAMANAKA, Yasutsugu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2007
• Subjects: black bear attack; facial laceration
• ISSN: 0021-5163; 2186-1579
• DOI: 10.5794/jjoms.53.732

Injury by a bear attack mostly occurs in the head and neck region and can be fatal, requiring immediate treatment. In addition to first-aid treatment, preventive measures against infectious and parasitic diseases are also necessary. We report two cases of multiple facial lacerations caused by the same black bear. Patient 1: A 51-yearold woman was attacked by a black bear while trekking and sustained multiple facial lacerations. She was successfully treated under general anesthesia 3 hours after the injury. Patient 2: A 65-year-old man was attacked by the same black bear when he tried to rescue the woman and sustained multiple facial lacerations as well. He was also successfully treated under general anesthesia 5 hours after injury. The clinical course of both patients was uneventful with no infection or sensory or motor nerve dysfunction.