Multiple Facial Fractures by Lion Attack

Abstract

　　Lion attacks are rare in Japan. We report a case of lion attack with multiple facial fractures and facial nerve injury. We collaborated with the emergency and critical care center, and in the second term, we performed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and facial nerve reconstruction. A 28-year-old man was attacked by a lion while washing it by hand. He sustained open mandible fracture, zygomatic fracture, and transverse fracture of the cervical vertebrae, and on his left side, canaliculus laceration, facial nerve injury, and parotid gland injury. On the same day, he was hospitalized in the intensive care unit and underwent emergency operation, during which canaliculus reconstruction and parotid suturing were performed. On the 10th day after injury, he underwent ORIF for his mandible and zygomatic fractures, and facial nerve reconstruction. The patient has made good progress. In the report, we discuss the difference between lion attacks and bear attacks, which are common as animal-induced trauma in Japan.