Glove-like hand: A case of severe-circumferential hand degloving injury
Research article published in Joint diseases and related surgery (2025)
Abstract
While limb amputations are a common and routine procedure for hand surgery, degloving injuries to the hand and fingers are less common and challenging for many surgeons. For degloving injuries which mostly result in limb loss, amputation has been recommended in previous studies and established classification systems, if there is a total avulsion injury. In this article, we present a replantation case in which all difficult microsurgical techniques were used in an injury where four fingers were degloved like a glove and accompanied by a second-degree burn that would prevent flap applications along the dorsum of the forearm. We also performed a detailed analysis of a rare clinical image. In conclusion, many treatment options have been described for degloving injuries, such as flaps and skin-grafting, the most optimal functional and cosmetic results can be achieved with replantation. Therefore, the first option should be replantation, if possible, but in case of failure, other surgical options should be evaluated without delay.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to medicinal leech therapy and its biology. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This is a single case report describing replantation of a hand in which four fingers were circumferentially degloved 'like a glove' and complicated by a second-degree dorsal-forearm burn that precluded flap coverage; the authors used demanding microsurgical techniques and conclude that, when feasible, replantation offers the best functional and cosmetic outcome for severe degloving, with other options reserved for failure. It is relevant to hirudotherapy because replanted and revascularized digits are a classic indication for adjunctive medicinal leeching to relieve venous congestion and improve flap or replant survival, so this report represents the kind of high-stakes microsurgical salvage in which leech therapy is frequently considered. Honest caveat: this is a single anecdotal case and does not mention leech use; it describes one surgeon team's experience and cannot establish generalizable outcomes or any role for hirudotherapy.
Citation
Glove-like hand: A case of severe-circumferential hand degloving injury.
Pamuk et al. · Joint diseases and related surgery, 2025
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