Venous Air Embolism Following a Dog Bite Injury in a Pediatric Patient

Abstract

Young male children are more likely than adults to sustain dog bite injuries, and up to 80% of these occur in the head and neck region [1]. Timely assessment of these injuries and appropriate decisions for surgical exploration can prevent further insult. One of the most feared complications of neurosurgical procedures in the sitting position, we present the case of a venous air embolism (VAE) in the prone position during repair of a cranial vault injury from a dog bite in a 14- month-old. Informed consent was obtained from the patient's family to publish this letter to the editor.