Fish Hook Removal

Playlist: Ortho51 Videos

  1. 01:21

    Probe-to-Bone Test for Osteomyelitis

    Uploaded July 2023

  2. 01:03

    Jaw Reduction by Extra-oral Technique - Presented by Al Sacchetti

    Uploaded June 2023

  3. 01:18

    Reduction of an Inferior Shoulder Dislocation

    Uploaded June 2023

  4. 01:20

    FARES Shoulder Reduction Technique

    Uploaded June 2023

  5. 01:32

    Cunningham Shoulder Reduction Technique

    Uploaded June 2023

  6. 01:19

    Stimson Shoulder Reduction Technique with Scapular Manipulation

    Uploaded June 2023

  7. 01:48

    Trigger Point Injection

    Uploaded May 2023

  8. 02:09

    Ganglion Cyst Aspiration and Injection

    Uploaded March 2023

  9. 03:06

    Digital Nerve Block Techniques

    Uploaded February 2023

  10. 03:15

    Finger Reduction

    Uploaded January 2023

  11. 01:53

    Elson and Modified Elson Tests for Central Slip Injury

    Uploaded January 2023

  12. 01:35

    Examining the Flexor Digitorum Tendons

    Uploaded January 2023

  13. 01:23

    Jaw Reduction by Wrist Pivot Maneuver

    Uploaded December 2022

  14. 02:39

    Ankle Arthrocentesis

    Uploaded December 2022

  15. 01:54

    Aspiration of Olecranon Bursitis

    Uploaded October 2022

  16. 01:06

    Reduction of a Lateral Patellar Dislocation

    Uploaded October 2022

  17. 01:36

    Shoulder Reduction by External Rotation

    Uploaded September 2022

  18. 05:16

    Posterior Tibial Nerve Block

    Uploaded July 2022

  19. 01:21

    Reduction of Elbow Dislocation

    Uploaded May 2022

  20. 01:15

    Removal of a Staple Gun Staple

    Uploaded June 2021

  21. 01:38

    Mandible Reduction Classic Technique

    Uploaded June 2021

  22. 01:13

    Traumatic Arthrotomy

    Uploaded May 2021

  23. 03:36

    Nail Bed Laceration Repair

    Uploaded May 2021

  24. 01:11

    Nursemaid's Elbow Reduction with Supination Technique

    Uploaded April 2021

  25. 00:53

    Shoulder Reduction by Davos Technique

    Uploaded April 2021

  26. 00:41

    Biceps Tendon Rupture

    Uploaded July 2020

  27. 00:38

    Thompson Test for Achilles Tendon Rupture

    Uploaded June 2020

  28. 00:56

    Flexor Tenosynovitis

    Uploaded April 2020

  29. 02:28

    Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block

    Uploaded September 2018

  30. 02:06

    Septic Bursitis Aspiration

    Uploaded August 2018

  31. 02:31

    Bone Rongeur for Fingertip Amputation

    Uploaded July 2018

  32. 01:52

    Felon Incision and Drainage

    Uploaded April 2018

  33. 01:21

    Elbow Arthrocentesis

    Uploaded December 2017

  34. 01:29

    Knee Arthrocentesis and Intraarticular Injection

    Uploaded December 2017

  35. 01:20

    Ulnar Nerve Block at the Wrist

    Uploaded December 2017

  36. 01:23

    Hip Reduction by East Baltimore Lift Maneuver

    Uploaded November 2017

  37. 02:07

    Reduction Techniques for Posterior Hip Dislocation

    Uploaded November 2017

  38. 01:36

    Paronychia Incision and Drainage

    Uploaded October 2017

  39. 01:03

    Trephination of a Fingernail Subungual Hematoma with Cautery

    Uploaded October 2017

  40. 02:37

    Removal of Ingrown Toenail

    Uploaded September 2017

  41. 01:44

    Shoulder Joint Injection

    Uploaded July 2017

  42. 01:33

    Subacromial Bursa Injection for Impingement Syndrome

    Uploaded July 2017

  43. 01:20

    Jaw Reduction by Extraoral Technique - Presented by Jess Mason

    Uploaded May 2017

  44. 06:14

    Measuring Compartment Pressure

    Uploaded May 2017

  45. 01:00

    Reduction of Inferior Shoulder Dislocation

    Uploaded April 2017

  46. 00:37

    Reduction of Posterior Shoulder Dislocation

    Uploaded April 2017

  47. 01:12

    Reduction of Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

    Uploaded April 2017

  48. 01:16

    Pelvic Binder Placement

    Uploaded February 2017

  49. 03:18

    Pelvic Fractures

    Uploaded February 2017

  50. 01:40

    Wrist Arthrocentesis

    Uploaded October 2016

Sign in or subscribe to watch the video.

A technique for removing a fishhook using wire cutters. Presented by Drs. Jess Mason and Stephanie Benjamin at UCSF Fresno.

To view chapter written summaries, you need to subscribe.

Sign up today for full access to all episodes.

Chuck S. -

Much easier and painless to simply put umbilical tape through the hook, push down on the tail of the hook (disengaging the barb and then jerk. The hook pops out painlessly. Best get someone to show you first :)

Andrew B., PA-C -

I've found using an 18g needle to help the barb come through the skin works well. Lightly pushing the skin down around the point of the hook as the point comes through the skin allows it to come through without much difficulty.

Jay H. -

I agree with Chuck S. M.D. I was taught the umbilical tape removal technique in medical school in 1975 by a resident who had spent time in the public health service in Alaska and have used it for the past 40+ years with greater than 90% success. Painless, no anesthetic required and takes a few seconds and I have used it "in the field" while fishing. I even made a video and sent it to EMRap but it was never shown. The method shown above should be a last resort.

Derrick H. -

Was confused with the tape/string method until I saw it in several youtube videos. It definitely looks so much easier than this method.

David B. -

Agree that the technique shown would be option #3 for me. Least elegant and highest risk. The main benefit for the average ER doc is that is easy to understand and teach. You don't need a video; you just numb it up - push it through and cut one end or the other. The ones below take a bit of practice.

In Mammoth Lakes, CA - primarily smaller hooks though as trout fishing - the "string technique" as others have called the umbilical tape technique works great. Absolutely must stabilize the body part and I do use 3 fingers - middle one to keep shank down and outer 2 to provide some counter traction to skin. You have to leave slack in the string and pull once HARD. I aim parallel to shank and down a bit. No local required. Must see it to understand. Takes practice/guts to do the first time and likely nobody who works in non-fishing areas will learn. I also do a simple knot to attach the string to the hook so it does not go flying. I have only had it fail twice. Once in a kid who didn't stabilize/hold his finger steady and once in a dog with a very big and deep hook (it worked but took 3 tries).

#2: Alternate technique is to pop the hook out backwards. Local first. You then advance the needle slightly and then quickly rotate hook down and back. Often pops out if you get the angle right.

If it gets stuck with #2 - you use an 18 gauge needle and enter the entrance wound/slice along the hook and cut the string of tissue that is caught on barb. You pull up on the hook to tent the skin upwards as you slice and when the tissue is cut, it pops out. Books describe the "sheath the barb with a needle" technique but that's just silly - but its how I learned this technique....

The string technique is fastest, avoids use of local, and is often painless.

The pop out and 18 gauge assist avoids having to push the hook through the skin, limits use of extra shots of anaesthesia and doesn't create a second wound or enlarge the entrance wound usually. You also avoid pushing a dirty hook through more tissue. It can also be tough to cut a hook without a good wire cutter (many hospital tools are very challenging to cut a hook with). The flying projectile that goes missing is a sharp too.

Jess Mason -

Thanks for sharing more techniques! I’ve got some new footage that I will edit soon showing some additional techniques. I think it is important to look at how deep the hook is embedded and the angle as it can change your approach. Personally, I’ve not had success with the 18 gauge technique that is so frequently described and have stopped trying it. More footage coming soon and thanks to all for contributing additional technique suggestions!

To join the conversation, you need to subscribe.

Sign up today for full access to all episodes and to join the conversation.