Abstract

CRESPO ESCUDERO, J.L. et al. Maxillofacial injury by bull goring: literature review and case report. Rev Esp Cirug Oral y Maxilofac [online]. 2008, vol.30, n.5, pp.353-362. ISSN 2173-9161.

Introduction. Injuries produced by bull goring are relatively common in Spain and South American countries, where bullfights are scheduled regularly. These wounds have specific characteristics that differentiate them from any other type of wounds. Material and methods. In the summer of 2005, an 18-year-old male patient was brought to the Hospital 12 de Octubre by emergency services after being gored in the cervicofacial region during the running of the bulls in San Sebastián de los Reyes. The patient had an anfractuous, penetrating and blunt wound extending from the left supraclavicular region to the left lip commissure, comminuted fracture of the left mandibular angle and right mandibular body, dentoalveolar fractures of pieces 1.3 to 2.3, and severe laceration of the lingual musculature and mouth floor. Discussion. Most patients who suffer multiple injuries as a result of bull goring are men, with a mean age of 30 years. Victims usually are spontaneous participants, bullfighting fans rather than professional bullfighters. The wounds produced by the horns of the bull may be located anywhere in the body, but the most frequent location in all the series reviewed was the lower limb. The cervicofacial region is one of less frequently affected regions in all the series. All authors agree that these injuries have a low incidence despite the huge number of bullfight fans and curious spectators who are attracted by bullfight events. Emergency treatment is required because of the particular characteristics of the mechanism of injury. The patient should be taken as rapidly as possible to a hospital. Authors generally agree that any patient who has been gored by a bull must be considered initially, for purposes of management, as a patient with multiple injuries. Conclusion. Facial injuries caused by bull goring have no equivalent with other etiologies of trauma in the craniofacial region and surgeons must be aware of their distinctive characteristics. The wounds are serious due to the danger of airway obstruction and hemorrhagic shock, but the prognosis is favorable. The successful management and treatment of patients with this type of injury is based on rapid identification of the wounds in order to execute the correct surgical intervention as soon as possible after the accident occurs.

Keywords : Bull goring; Facial.

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