Dog bites are a frequent cause of facial injuries in both children and adults. The management of bite wounds is controversial and current data on infection risk is inconsistent.

The authors assess the approaches to the immediate repair of facial dog bites referred to a tertiary referral centre over a 10-year period, between 2002 and 2012. A series of 66 patients with periocullar and facial dog bites required surgical intervention during this period.

The majority of patients were children, with a mean age of 15 years. 53% were male. Irrigation of wounds was always performed and parenteral antibiotic therapy (Co-Amoxiclav unless there was a known allergy to penicillin) was used to avoid infection. One case of postoperative wound infection was noted. Special attention has been attached to the functional and aesthetic outcome. Two surgical revisions were required because of scarring and in most cases, we saw good-to-excellent results.

The aim of immediate surgical repair is to obtain a satisfactory cosmetic result and to avoid infection. Good cosmetic results with a minimal risk of wound infection (1 cheek wound infection) can be achieved when clear principles are adhered to.