- Top publications | April
- Robert E. Van Demark Jr. et al.
Animal vaccine injection injuries of the hand are of special concern in veterinary medicine and agricultural fields. Although most of these injuries resolve with no or minimal treatment, major complications can occur. We report a case of a farmworker who experienced an accidental needlestick injury while vaccinating pigs. The operative findings, postoperative course, and treatment options for vaccine needlestick injuries are discussed.
Accidental needlestick injuries (NSI) are common in veterinarians and farmworkers. The true incidence of NSI is unknown; most of these injuries are likely seen by the patient’s primary care physician and usually resolve without serious complications. A small subgroup of these injuries can have serious long-term problems.
We report a case of a pig vaccine NSI treated with surgical debridement. The unique factors associated with vaccine injection injuries including treatment options and clinical results are discussed.