Leech therapy in digital replantation
Research article published in AORN journal (1995)
Abstract
This article presents a protocol for the perioperative care of patients undergoing digital replantation, which is the most common microsurgical procedure performed today. Venous congestion, a common complication of digital replantation, often has been treated through surgical exploration and creation of arteriovenous anastomosis. Leech therapy, however, is experiencing a resurgence among surgeons as an alternative method for treating venous congestion. This article discusses the anatomical, physiological, and clinical indications and methods of leech therapy in digital replantation.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
This article presents a protocol for the perioperative care of patients undergoing digital replantation, which is the most common microsurgical procedure performed today.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This article presents a perioperative care protocol for digital replantation and discusses the anatomical, physiological, and clinical indications and methods of leech therapy as an alternative approach to venous congestion, a common complication of this procedure. The work is directly relevant to ASH's domain because it addresses a clinical application of medicinal leeches—managing venous congestion in replanted digits—that the abstract describes as experiencing a resurgence among surgeons. As the article is a review presenting a clinical care protocol, it does not provide new primary outcome data; readers seeking quantitative evidence on leech therapy efficacy, complication rates, or comparative effectiveness in digital replantation will need to consult original research studies.
Citation
Added to ASH library: March 18, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026