Prospective audit of 106 consecutive human bite injuries: The importance of history taking

Abstract

Objectives: Some patients attempt to conceal human bites with factitious mechanisms of injury. Follow up questioning allows patients to modify their histories. This practice was prospectively audited. Methods: Patients with cutaneous wounds who did not present with a history of human bite were asked a follow up question. Those who then gave a history of human bite were noted. Results: Certain groups of patients with human bites were significantly more likely to provide a factitious history and/or delay presentation. Conclusion: Follow up questioning dramatically increased the case-detection rate, prompting specific management.