How To Remove a Deep Fishhook

Deeply embedded fishhook in skin

None

Infection

Chronic granuloma formation

Cleansing solution, such as povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine

21- and 25-gauge needles

10-mL syringe

Local anesthetic, such as 1% lidocaine

#11 scalpel

Strong forceps or pliers

Strong wire cutters (eg, diagonal cutters)

Small, nonsterile paper or plastic cup

Nonsterile gloves

Rarely, hooks become embedded in or near important structures (eg, nerves, vessels, tendons) that must be taken into consideration during removal.

Patient comfort with good lighting, excellent exposure of the fishhook, and support of the affected area on a firm surface

Cleanse the site, including protruding hook, with povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine solution.

Determine the location of the point of the hook.

Ensure that there are no neurovascular structures or tendons between the point and the skin surface.

Inject local anesthetic into the area overlying and around the point.

Grab the shaft with pliers or forceps and advance the barb through the surface of the anesthetized skin.

Cover the point with the cup to catch the point as it flies off and clip the point and its barb off using strong wire cutters (1 Reference Fishhooks may become embedded deep in the subcutaneous or fascial layer of skin. A deep fishhook is one that has penetrated to or past the curve of the hook—the barbed point is directed parallel... read more ).

Back the remaining, barbless hook out of the skin.

Cleanse the area with soap and water or a mild antibacterial wound cleanser such as chlorhexidine. Bandage the wound.

Give tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine Indications A vaccine for tetanus alone is available, but the tetanus vaccine is typically combined with those for diphtheria and/or pertussis. The vaccine for diphtheria is available only in combination... read more (eg, Td, Tdap) depending on patient's vaccination history (see table Tetanus Prophylaxis in Routine Wound Management Tetanus Prophylaxis in Routine Wound Management ). Incompletely immunized patients should also receive tetanus immune globulin 250 units IM.

Keep wound clean and dry and remove dressing after 48 hours.

With foot wounds, elevate extremity and limit ambulation for 1 to 2 days.

Return for evaluation for increased pain, redness, swelling, or other indications of infection.

Antibiotics are not used routinely, unless patient is immunocompromised.

Rarely, a hook will be embedded within or underneath an important structure, and this advancement method could cause significant damage; open exploration should be done.

As with all puncture wounds, there is significant risk of infection.

Failing to cover the hook tip as it is cut will allow it to fly off at high speed, risking injury.

Fishhooks are made of very strong steel; small wire cutters and bandage scissors are often inadequate to cut them.

If other methods are unsuccessful, it may be necessary to make an elliptical incision around the hook entrance.

Before removing a fishhook embedded in subungual tissue, use a digital block. Some cases require removing the nail or part of it to expose the hook.