A Zone-II Flexor Tendon Injury Secondary to a Catfish Spine: A Case Report.

CASE: We present the case of a 17-year-old man who sustained a delayed rupture of a zone-II flexor tendon injury in the long finger from a catfish spine, which caused local envenomization and a likely secondary bacterial infection. He underwent surgical exploration and irrigation and debridement of the finger. The flexor digitorum profundus tendon was found to be lacerated and was primarily repaired.

CONCLUSION

Catfish spines can cause traumatic disruption of anatomic structures and can envenomate the area of injury, which can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. We review the literature regarding catfish spine injuries and describe a basic treatment algorithm for patients who are injured by catfish spines.