Leech therapy in nearly total amputation of fingers without vascular repair: a case report
Research article published in Iranian Red Crescent medical journal (2014)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In the absence of microvascular replantation or in crash injury cases in which obtaining an acceptable function is not possible, amputation of the injured finger seems to be the best treatment modality. Some studies recommended leech therapy for this kind of injury after vascular repair to decrease venous congestion. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, the authors presented a case of leech therapy after near total amputation of the fingers. A 25-year-old patient was admitted following a sawing injury with crashed bundles of the third, fourth and fifth fingers. Microvascular surgery was not performed because of crush injury. DISCUSSION: After a simple repair and pin fixation, the patient was treated using leech therapy. The result was satisfactory. The third and fourth fingers were salvaged. It seems that in cases where a small part of the skin is still attached to the amputated part, even with complete crash of both bundles, leech therapy can help salvage the amputated fingers.
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 case report describes a 25-year-old patient with a near-total amputation of the third, fourth, and fifth fingers from a sawing injury with crushed bundles, in whom microvascular replantation was not feasible; after simple repair and pin fixation the digits were managed with leech therapy, and the third and fourth fingers were salvaged. It is directly relevant to the established hirudotherapy role of relieving venous congestion in compromised tissue, and notably explores leech use even without vascular repair when skin attachment remains. Caveat: this is a single case report, the lowest tier of clinical evidence, describing an unusual scenario; it is hypothesis-generating and cannot establish efficacy or define which amputations are salvageable by leeching.
Citation
Leech therapy in nearly total amputation of fingers without vascular repair: a case report.
TarazJamshidi et al. · Iranian Red Crescent medical journal, 2014
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