AN UNUSUAL SURGICAL EMERGENCY - A KNEE-JOINT WOUND CAUSED BY A NEEDLEFISH

The authors report the case of a knee joint wound caused by a needlefi sh of the Belonid type, or ''Orphie.'' This observation is one of a se ries of 10 traumas reported over the past few years with this dangerou s fish that resides in the New Caledonian lagoon. The authors show the importance of a thorough clinical examination of the patient and, mor e especially, the importance of the radiological opacity of the foreig n body, which is essential for diagnosis. Our experience with this typ e of wound in articular disorders leads us to recommend arthroscopic t reatment combined with intraoperative radiological control. This metho d is to assure the total exeresis of the foreign body whose sepsis wou ld irremediably cause serious acute arthritis.