1. Fishhook Removal. Hooks with small superficially embedded barbs may be carefully backed out through the original puncture site (A and B). This may require a small incision, made in line with the concavity of the hook curve. The push-through technique is useful for large barbs or those more deeply embedded. The hook is pushed out through the skin, the barb removed, and the remainder of the hook subsequently removed through the original penetration site (C, D, and E). The traction (string) technique provides an alternative for removing hooks with small barbs. While pressing down on the shaft of the hook, traction is applied with 0 silk or umbilical tape. A swift yank of the cord in the direction opposite the barb will dislodge the hook (F). Care is taken to warn bystanders of the potential for the fishhook to fly across the room.
Source: WOUNDS AND SOFT TISSUE INJURIES, The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 4e
Citation: Knoop KJ, Stack LB, Storrow AB, Thurman R. The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 4e; 2016 Available at: Accessed: January 14, 2018
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