Finger Fishhook Emergency and Needle Barb Release Technique

In this video we remove a fishhook from the finger of a little girl using the "needle barb release" technique. The "needle barb release" technique is one that I recognized and named several years ago.

[strongDr]

That's amazing! Growing up I used to believe that all Doctors must be having these skills. Then I came to know that it's exclusive to ER physicians and maybe Surgeons. It feels really awesome that they can handle so many specialties.

[ryanlong]

Sometimes you can tell someone is a good dad just from their tone of voice. That guy was definitely a good one.

[LifeMovingOnwards]

I just wanted to let you know that not only do your videos teach students and doctors. They also inspire regular citizens like me to donate blood, plasma and bone marrow. Aswell as my body to scientific research/teaching medical students. I never knew I could contribute to saving lives. Thank you

[BentleyJax-River]

What a brave little girl! That was an interesting way to get that out. Learned something new again! Thanks Dr Mellick!!

[stephaniethelander]

Loved the nurse recognizing her bravery and how scary that must have been for her. Nurses like her make me glad I'm getting into the field of nursing. Hoping my preceptorship will be in pediatrics. 🤞
Thank you for sharing such an amazing technique again Doctor.😊

[goldmedals]

Good job dad and mom! She's learning to fish and that's so cool. She was a trooper through it all, so brave. I just had to see how that barb was gonna come out and like learning a magic trick it all made sense once you know the procedure. Barbless hooks might lose a fish here and there but they just slide right out, put on a band-aid and keep on fishing!

[peggycrochetz]

That's a beautiful family❣️ You're such a Brave Princess, 👏👏👏👍Great Job!!!!

[bumblebee]

What brave little girl!! Momma and daddy did such a great job soothing her!

[burpburp]

Growing up and going fishing as a kid, a hook in the finger was always a fear of mine. She handled it like a champ!

[lilitheden]

Poor baby. She is so cute. Her father did such great job keeping his daughter calm.

[d.s.]

Thanks for the video, Dr. Mellick and team, parents and little brave girl.

[jackwalsh]

Dr. Mellick, another entertaining case presentation. Thank you.

[pamelaflirtyskunk]

She was so precious! Poor thing! I know it tends to be more fear than pain but that's still so sad!

[nightfall]

Great job as always doc. I love these training videos. Always much to learn!

[DrZombieDeadpool]

Dr. Mellick, I started watching your youtube channel when I was still an MS1. Now, I've nearly graduated and I'm sure EM is for me! I would love to rotate in your department. If there's any way the university of southern alabama could accept international rotating med students this August, I would be over the moon!!

[carrols.hawkins]

My, what a brave little girl. She barely fussed when given the shot of anesthetic. Big guys grouse louder. ☺☺☺

[ATGG]

I'm NOT a medical expert, but I have a question. Isn't there any other way to remove this fishook? I mean, trying to cut flesh with a needle isn't going to be easy for them, and neither pleasant for the girl...?

[motherbear]

Have you ever dealt with a propane gas freeze injury? If so, was there lasting damage? Would love to see a video.

[chanceehuiet]

As someone who fishes 150-180 days a year and on average gets 2 or 3 hooks in me every year, this method of removal does not look fun. If the string trick doesn’t work then we pushing thru and cutting the hook. Most locations of the body the string trick works flawlessly. Both methods in my experience leave no lasting effects. Even forget they were done hours later.

[abrahamsintram]

Dear colleague,

Is this technique not more traumatic than just pulling it? What is the rationale for this technique? I have only fixed one, on a grown man, same region of the finger. I did it in a blockade of course, but then just pulled it out, making sure to not let it go of tangent. This made a very small exit wound.

Care to enlighten a young ER doc?