fishhook injuries
Last reviewed 01/2018
The flexible barb is designed not to come out the way it went in and can only be removed forwards.
Anaesthetise the wound with 1% lignocaine and cut off the eye of the hook.
The hook should then be pushed out through the anaesthetised skin via a separate exit wound following the curve of the hook just like a curved suture needle.
Check the tetanus status of the patient.