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. 2006 Fall;14(3):158-62.
doi: 10.1177/229255030601400301.

Bear maulings treated in Calgary, Alberta: Their management and sequelae

Ryan C Frank  1 , Raman C Mahabir, Enzio Magi, Robert L Lindsay, William de Haas
Affiliations

Bear maulings treated in Calgary, Alberta: Their management and sequelae

Ryan C Frank et al. Can J Plast Surg. 2006 Fall.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Between 1994 and 2005, seven patients underwent surgery at the Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, for injuries sustained in bear maulings. The purpose of the present study was to document these cases and add to the literature on the management and the potential complications of bear attacks.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from charts.

Results: Seven patients were treated for injuries ranging from lacerations and puncture wounds to fractures and avulsed tissue. On average, patients underwent three operations and spent 22 days in hospital. Mean time from attack to arrival at the trauma centre was 19 h. Irrigation, debridement and intravenous antibiotics did not prevent wound infections in two patients. Six of seven patients developed acute stress disorder, and one of these patients went on to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Complications ranged from infection to pulmonary embolism.

Conclusions: Bear attacks result in a spectrum of injuries. Infections and psychiatric disorders are common sequelae.

HISTORIQUE: Entre 1994 et 2005, au Foothills Medical Centre de Calgary, en Alberta, sept patients ont subi des chirurgies à la suite de blessures infligées par des ours en liberté. Le but de la présente étude était de documenter ces cas et de décrire la prise en charge et les complications potentielles des blessures infligées à des être humains par des ours.

MÉTHODE: Les données ont été recueillies de manière rétrospective à partir des dossiers.

RÉSULTATS: Sept patients ont été traités pour des blessures allant de lacérations et perforations à des fractures avec avulsion. En moyenne, les patients ont subi trois interventions et passé 22 jours à l’hôpital. Le délai moyen entre l’attaque et l’arrivée au centre de polytraumatologie a été de 19 h. L’irrigation, le débridement des plaies et l’antibiothérapie intraveineuse n’ont pas empêché les infections de survenir chez deux patients. Six patients sur sept ont développé un syndrome de stress post-traumatique aigu. Les autres complications ont varié de l’infection à l’embolie pulmonaire.

CONCLUSION: Les lésions infligées par des ours sont de nature diverse. Les infections et les troubles psychiatriques en sont des séquelles courantes.

Keywords: Animal attack; Black bear; Grizzly bear; Mauling; PTSD.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Face of patient 7 shortly after arrival to Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta
Figure 2
Figure 2
Left thigh wound of patient 3
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Mahabir R, Olesen PR, Cannon WG, et al. Surgical management of injuries sustained from grizzly bear maulings treated in Vancouver, British Columbia. Can J Plast Surg. 2000;8:193–8.

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