Leech Therapy For The Treatment Of Venous Congestion In Flaps, Digital Re-Plants And Revascularizations - A Two-Year Review From A Regional Centre

• Published in: Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 219 - 223
• Main Authors: Butt, Ahsan Masood, Ismail, Amir, Lawson-Smith, Matthew, Shahid, Muhammad, Webb, Jill, Chester, Darren L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Female; Hirudo medicinalis; Humans; Hyperemia - etiology; Hyperemia - therapy; Leeching; Male; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Retrospective Studies; Surgical Flaps - adverse effects; Surgical Flaps - blood supply; Young Adult; free flaps; pedicled flaps; revascularization; Congestion; replant

Leeches are a well-recognized treatment for congested tissue. This study reviewed the efficacy of leech therapy for salvage of venous congested flaps and congested replanted or revascularized hand digits over a 2-year period. All patients treated with leeches between 1 Oct 2010 and 30 Sep 2012 (two...