[Taxacom] never remove a barb from a stingray

[Donat Agosti]

Here a contribution from New York Time on how to deal with being stung by a
barb from and stingray, as has happened sadly to Steve Irwin. It is worth
checking out the illustraton as well.

 

 

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/health/19real.html?_r=1
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/health/19real.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=
slogin> &ref=science&oref=slogin

 


The Claim: Never Remove a Barb From a Stingray Injury 


By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

THE FACTS The death of Steve Irwin
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/i/steve_irwin/in
dex.html?inline=nyt-per> , the famed "crocodile hunter," this month came as
a shock to his legions of fans. But for some, it also raised a question:
What to do if attacked by a stingray?

In general, attacks by venomous stingrays are rare and usually occur when a
person accidentally steps on one in shallow water. Most nonfatal injuries
are to the legs or feet, and doctors recommend washing the wound in hot
water to destroy any venom and to relieve pain. Then, seek medical help.

But an attack in which a stingray's barb not only pierces the heart but
becomes detached - as was the case with Mr. Irwin, who reportedly removed
the barb - is even more unusual, said Christopher Lowe, a stingray expert at
California State
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/c/califor
nia_state_university/index.html?inline=nyt-org>  University, Long Beach.

In that case, the potential for complications is so great that only a doctor
should attempt removal. Because barbs are serrated, they tear at flesh when
removed, and it's unlikely that pulling them out will lower exposure to any
venom. Sharp objects can also act as plugs that stem excessive bleeding
until help arrives, said Dr. Adam E. Saltman, a cardiothoracic surgeon at
Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn.

Only two cases of people surviving cardiac stingray injuries are known; both
were described in a 2001 report in the Medical Journal of Australia. An
adult swimmer was struck in his right coronary artery. He was operated on
quickly. In the other case, a fisherman had a barb removed from his right
ventricle. 

THE BOTTOM LINE If embedded, a stingray barb should be removed by a doctor.

 

 

Dr. Donat Agosti

Science Consultant

Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History and Naturmuseum der
Burgergemeinde Bern

Email: agosti at amnh.org

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