The use of leeches for treatment of venous congestion of the nipple following breast surgery
Case report published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (1992)
Abstract
The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, played a central role in the evolution of medieval and folk medicine. Today, for the first time in history, the leech actually has a real and valuable purpose in medicine as a useful adjunct for the plastic surgeon: It provides relief of venous congestion. For over 2000 years, leeches were needlessly applied for a multitude of maladies as an adjunct to blood-letting. Their use in Europe peaked between 1830 and 1850, however, shortages led to a subsequent decline in leech application. Today there is a real clinical use for leeches which had led to a resurgence in their use in plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons use leeches in microsurgery to salvage congested flaps, whose viability is uncertain due to venous congestion. We present our experience with two patients where leeches were used to treat isolated venous engorgement of the nipple following breast surgery. Leech therapy is painless, well tolerated, and does not result in significant scarring. Prompt initiation of treatment is mandatory and produces dramatic resolution of venous congestion.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Two cases demonstrating leech-assisted resolution of isolated postoperative nipple venous engorgement after breast surgery, with painless, well-tolerated therapy and minimal scarring.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This case report describes two patients in whom Hirudo medicinalis leeches were used to treat isolated venous engorgement of the nipple following breast surgery, with the authors reporting that therapy was painless, well tolerated, produced no significant scarring, and yielded dramatic resolution of venous congestion when initiated promptly. For ASH, this is directly relevant as a clinical application of hirudotherapy for venous congestion. The clear caveat, consistent with the Publication type (Case Reports), is that this involves only two patients with no control group, comparator, or follow-up detail beyond the reported outcomes, so it cannot establish efficacy, incidence of benefits, or safety reliably.
Citation
The use of leeches for treatment of venous congestion of the nipple following breast surgery.
Gross MP, Apesos J · Aesthetic plastic surgery, 1992
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