Facial Soft Tissue Trauma from Honey Badger Bite: A Case Report

Abstract

Facial injuries have the potential to cause disfigurement and loss of function. Although it is seldom life-threatening, facial trauma can also be deadly, because it can cause severe bleeding, interference with the airway or wound infections. We present a rare case of 3 years old boy that underwent a multistage repair of facial soft tissue injuries he got from a Honey Badger bite. A good wound management that consists of thorough irrigation and careful debridement are important to diminish the risks of infection after primary closure, which should be considered for animal bite injuries to the face, and for this case honey badger. Reconstruction can be very challenging but if carefully done may help make patients cosmetically acceptable and have satisfactory physiological outcomes.