CUT BARB (an Acronym for Fishhook Injuries): Illustrated by the Extraction of a Fishhook From the Auricle Using the Advance-and-Cut Technique

Fishhook injuries are common within fishing communities. The embedded barb in the tissue prevents the hook from being pulled out until the barb is disengaged. Although the majority of injuries are minor, occasionally fishhook injuries can be serious. Herein, the author developed a novel acronym: CUT BARB (C: consult immediately for critical areas, U: underlying structure injury, T: tetanus immunization, B: barb shape and size, A: antibiotic prophylaxis, R: radiology imaging, B: bait or lure fragments). The aim of the acronym is to aid emergency department (ED) physicians in conducting a comprehensive clinical assessment and reaching a prompt therapeutic decision for embedded fishhook injuries. Additionally, the author is demonstrating the technique via the extraction of a medium-sized single-barbed fishhook embedded in the left auricle of a 60-year-old female using the advance-and-cut technique.