Bear Attack Injuries Managed at a Resource Limited District Hospital in Rural Nepal: A Case Report

Bear attacks, though infrequently reported, can lead to severe and disfiguring injuries, particularly in rural regions of Nepal where healthcare resources are limited. This case report aims to illustrate the challenges faced by district-level health facilities in managing bear-related trauma amid constraints in funding, infrastructure and access to specialized care. It highlights the growing human wildlife conflict and the need for prompt, context-specific trauma management, including consideration of infection and rabies risk. A middle-aged male patient sustained multiple traumatic injuries including facial nerve injury, laceration to face and body following a bear attack and was managed with timely resuscitation, thorough wound debridement, facial nerve exploration appropriate dressings, ICU stay, broad-spectrum antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis and rabies vaccination and rabies immunoglobulin as per national protocol was given. The patient had a favorable outcome without major complications. This case emphasizes the importance of early intervention, preparedness, and strengthening trauma care capacity in rural healthcare settings.