Two cases of penetrating abdominal injury from needlefish impalement.
BACKGROUND
Needlefish injuries to humans are extremely rare. An extensive review of the medical literature reveals only 22 cases previously reported. Most injuries reported have occurred in the Indo-Pacific region, but there are scattered reports worldwide.


OBJECTIVE
To report two cases of life-threatening penetrating abdominal injuries from needlefish impalement.


METHODS
A 19-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were both struck in the abdomen by a needlefish and required emergent exploratory laparotomy for instability. Their injuries were a laceration of a branch of the left portal vein and a small bowel perforation, respectively. Both patients survived and recovered without incident.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, penetrating injuries from needlefish can be life threatening. Treatment should be directed at the organ injured with appropriate antibiotic coverage.
Clark
Justin James
JJ
University of Hawaii Surgical Residency Program, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
Ho
Hao Chih
HC
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D023761:Beloniformes; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult