The medical leech: An old treatment revisited
@article{Wells1993TheML, title={The medical leech: An old treatment revisited}, author={Mark D. Wells and Ralph T. Manktelow and J. Brian Boyd and V. Bowen}, journal={Microsurgery}, year={1993}, volume={14} }
The treatment modality of choice for venous insufficiency after free tissue transfer or replantation remains surgical repair. When this is not technically possible, the use of medical leeches is a useful adjunct to treatment. This paper reviews the history of the use of leeches in medicine, the anatomy and physiology of Hirudo medicinalis, the techniques of leech therapy, and the complications and contraindications. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Topics from this paper
79 Citations
Medicinal leeches for the treatment of venous congestion and hematoma after plastic reconstructive surgery
- Medicine
- Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG
- 2010
- 25
A Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Leeches in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Medicine
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open
- 2019
By what mechanism do leeches help to salvage ischaemic tissues? A review.
- Medicine
- The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery
- 2005
- 40
- PDF
Successful treatment of venous congestion in free skin flaps using medical leeches
- Medicine
- Microsurgery
- 1994
- 35
Medicinal Leech Therapy: Friend or Foe
- Medicine
- Plastic surgical nursing : official journal of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Nurses
- 2016
- 4
- Highly Influenced
- PDF
Cutaneous complications of improper leech application.
- Medicine
- Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM
- 2012
- 9
- PDF
The efficacy of medicinal leeches in plastic and reconstructive surgery: A systematic review of 277 reported clinical cases
- Medicine
- Microsurgery
- 2012
- 75
- PDF
Leech therapy in the management of acute venous congestion of an infant's lower limb.
- Medicine
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- 1998
- 14
References
SHOWING 1-10 OF 19 REFERENCES
The salvage of congested skin flaps by the application of leeches.
- Medicine
- British journal of plastic surgery
- 1984
- 70
Salvage of a Failing Microvascular Free Muscle Flap by Direct Continuous Intravascular Infusion of Heparin: A Case Report
- Medicine
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- 1989
- 20
Partial nail plate removal after digital replantation as an alternative method of venous drainage.
- Medicine
- The Journal of hand surgery
- 1985
- 77
Successful transfer of “free” microvascular superficial temporal artery flap with no obvious venous drainage and use of leeches for reducing venous congestion: Case report
- Medicine
- Microsurgery
- 1986
- 27
The medicinal leech. A page from the annelids of internal medicine.
- Medicine
- Annals of internal medicine
- 1988
- 74
Aeromonas hydrophila Infections Following Use of Medicinal Leeches in Replantation and Flap Surgery
- Medicine
- Annals of plastic surgery
- 1992
- 104