Archives of Plastic Surgery

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (대한성형외과학회)
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A shark attack treated in a tertiary care centre: Case report and review of the literature

  • Roy, Melissa (Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto) ;
  • Plant, Mathew A (Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto) ;
  • Snell, Laura (Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto)
  • Received : 2016.11.26
  • Accepted : 2017.05.10
  • Published : 2018.01.20
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Abstract

Although uncommon, shark attacks can lead to devastating outcomes for victims. Surgeons also face unique challenges during operative management such as exsanguination, shock, specific injury patterns and infections. This case report presents the management of a 39-year-old previously healthy female attacked by a shark while on vacation in Mexico. The patient sustained severe injuries to her left arm and her left thigh. She was transferred to a Canadian institution after ambiguous operative management in Mexico and presented with no clear antibiotic coverage and a Volkman's contracture of the left upper extremity. In total, the patient underwent four washouts of wounds, two split-thickness skin grafts, one free anterolateral thigh flap, and one free transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap for the reconstruction and salvage of the left lower extremity. This article highlights the specifics of this case and describes important points in managing these devastating injuries.

Keywords

References

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  1. Plan for plastic surgeons to participate in trauma teams at regional trauma and emergency centers vol.61, pp.12, 2018, https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2018.61.12.710
  2. Shark-related injuries in Hawai’i treated at a level 1 trauma center vol.5, pp.1, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1136/tsaco-2020-000567