Fishhook Injuries and Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns: A Retrospective Analysis

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Fishhook injuries are common among anglers.
• Current guidelines lack recommendations for prophylactic antibiotic use post-fishhook removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze fishhook injury management, prophylactic antibiotic use, and complication rates.
• To determine if antibiotic use impacts patient outcomes in freshwater-associated injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 51 patients with fishhook injuries (2016-2022).
• Analysis of patient demographics, injury details, removal techniques, and antibiotic administration.
• Evaluation of complications and return visits within 30 days.

Main Results:

• 51 fishhook injuries identified; 51% received oral antibiotics upon discharge.
• No wound infections or complications observed in 50 of 51 cases where hooks were removed in the ED.
• One case resulted in abscess formation after delayed presentation.

Conclusions:

• Antibiotic prophylaxis for freshwater fishhook injuries did not significantly alter patient outcomes.
• Further controlled studies are necessary to validate these findings on antibiotic efficacy.