The use of medicinal leeches, Hirudo medicinalis, to restore venous circulation in trauma and reconstructive microsurgery

Int Angiol. 1994 Sep;13(3):251-8.

Abstract

Following replantation of complete or incomplete nonviable amputations of digits and hands, as well as microsurgical free tissue transfer, there is often a critical need for adjuvant therapy in order to restore sufficient venous drainage. In 24 out of 29 patients, venous insufficiency was successfully treated with the use of medicinal leeches. In a group of patients who had undergone replantation procedures (11 patients total), 9 patients (8 with digit and 1 with hand amputations) had venous drainage successfully restored with medicinal leeches, while in a group of patients who had free tissue transfers (18 patients total), 15 had the venous congestion treated successfully with leeches. The results indicate that medicinal leeches are a valuable, alternative method for the treatment of venous congestion in both replantation patients and those who have undergone free tissue transfer.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amputation, Traumatic / surgery*
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Female
  • Finger Injuries / surgery
  • Hand Injuries / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Leeches*
  • Male
  • Microsurgery / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Care*
  • Surgical Flaps / methods*
  • Venous Insufficiency / prevention & control*