Guidelines
Penetrating Foreign Body

Penetrating Foreign Body

Consults

Infectious Diseases consult recommended.

Note

The host skin flora + microbes associated with the penetrating object (e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa from running shoe sole).

Plain radiograph (or ultrasound) to assess for foreign body.

For deeper infections which require surgical input, cultures should be sent.

Some authors suggest prophylaxis depending on the location, nature of the wound, and whether the foreign body is still in situ.

Needs to be tailored to host factors, location of penetrating wound, nature of penetrating object, and culture specimens.