Needlefish are elongated marine fish known for their high-speed leaps toward light sources, occasionally resulting in penetrating injuries in humans. We report a case of a 42-year-old fisherman who presented with a penetrating injury to the left leg caused by a needlefish beak. Clinical examination revealed a small entry wound with a protruding foreign body, and imaging confirmed multiple retained fragments within the soft tissue. The patient underwent surgical exploration and removal of the foreign bodies under spinal anesthesia, followed by wound debridement and irrigation. Due to the risk of contamination, the wound was left open to heal by secondary intention. The patient was managed with antibiotics, analgesics, and tetanus prophylaxis and recovered without complications. This case highlights the importance of early recognition, careful evaluation, and meticulous surgical planning in managing unusual marine-related penetrating injuries to prevent complications and ensure favorable outcomes.
Khadka et al. (2026) studied this question.