title: Unusual fishing harpoon injury of the maxillofacial region in a child.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Injuries by fishing harpoon are extremely rare. Despite the similarities to other penetrating injuries normally caused by gunshot and stab wounds, harpoon injuries feature hook-type tips pointing to the opposite direction to that of removal, thus rendering the surgery more complex.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report on a case of a child who sustained an injury caused by two-piece fragments of a fishing harpoon to the right temporal and orbital regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis process is discussed and a suggestion is presented as to treatment principles. The authors support the use of small incisions that are just small enough to clear the tissues surrounding the object and allow for the removal of said object from the outside to the inside and counter indicate any attempt to pull the object. Such approach was used in this case with a satisfactory result and minimum sequels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University Center of Pará (CESUPA), Avenida Marquês de Herval, 2359, Apt. 1104, Belém, PA, Brazil 66087-320. ribeiroalr@ig.com.br
authors.forename: André Luis Ribeiro
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Hiam Ghassan
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: de Vasconcellos
authors.forename: João de Jesus Viana
authors.initials: Jde J
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000601:surgery*