Wound management for penetrating marine injuries

To treat penetrating injuries from marine animals, the general principles of management for penetrating injuries apply. Thoroughly clean and irrigate the wound. Remove any visible spines of the marine animal or other foreign bodies present in the wound. Radiographic imaging may assist in identifying foreign bodies. Lacerations are best left open for delayed primary closure.

Surgical exploration and debridement are usually required for wounds that contain foreign material, involve joints or sterile body cavities, or present late. Consider antibiotic prophylaxis in these cases—see Water-immersed wound infections.

The role of prophylactic antibiotics is otherwise unclear; review the patient within 24 to 48 hours to enable early detection of infection, then review the wound regularly until symptoms have resolved. In suspected infections, take swabs for culture in appropriate media, and treat with antibiotics. For advice on treatment of infected wounds after penetrating marine injuries, see here.

Tetanus prophylaxis applies as for any penetrating injury (see Requirement for tetanus prophylaxis).