title: Fishhook removal: case reports and a review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fishhook injuries are common among people who fish for recreation, but can be encountered in anyone who has handled a fishhook. They represent a unique challenge for Emergency Physicians who seek to remove them without causing further tissue damage from the barbed nature of the hook.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to discuss the techniques available to providers in the removal of a barbed fishhook by illustrating actual cases seen in the Emergency Department.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present two cases of patients with fishhook injuries. We discuss the proper assessment of these injuries. We describe techniques for removing a barbed hook from a patient's skin and offer images to guide management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the unique nature of fishhook injuries and awareness of techniques to manage them are essential to the practicing Emergency Physician.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prats
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Austin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wellock
authors.forename: Nicholas E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Kman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D005399:Fishes; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011998:Recreation; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local