A. Talukder1, C. J. Mentzer3, P. Martinez-Quinones1, S. B. Holsten1, J. R. Yon2 1Augusta University,Department Of General Surgery, Medical College Of Georgia,Augusta, GA, USA 2Swedish Medical Center,Acute Care Surgery,Englewood, CO, USA 3University Of Miami,Trauma And Critical Care, Surgery,Miami, FL, USA
Introduction: Recreational fishing is a pastime undertaken by an estimated 35.2-57.9 million Americans. Traditionally viewed as a low risk activity, the equipment and environmental aspects of fishing pose some inherent risk.
Methods: Fishing related injuries captured by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 2010 to 2014 that presented to US Emergency Departments were reviewed. Injury context, severity and outcomes were examined.
Results: 6,673 patients were included in the NEISS from 2010 to 2014. 80.44% of the patients were male and Caucasian, 58.76% of injuries occurred primarily in two distinct age groups 11-20 (1,214) and 41-50 (1,021). The most common reported injury was related to the presence of a foreign body (3,726) and affected primarily the extremities (3,055). Distribution of extremity injury was as follows: Finger (1,734), Toe (69), Foot (213), Hand (435), Upper Leg (61), Upper Arm (46), Ankle (17), Lower Leg (176), Knee (37), Wrist (26), Lower Arm (202) and elbow (18). The majority, 96.5%, of all patients were treated and released while 2.7% of all patients were admitted. Further analysis of injury patterns and disposition was completed.
Conclusion: The most commonly injured body part was the upper extremity, primarily the finger due to laceration, puncture, or foreign body–usually a fishing hook. Inpatient admission most frequently occurred following presentation of acute onset chest pain, head injuries, syncope, and drowning. The identification of specific activity related injury patterns will allow for the development of identifiable preventive measures.
