[A case report: hirudotherapy as a treatment modality in the microsurgery]
Case report published in Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi (2013)
Abstract
Medicinal leeches are known to inject more than 100 bioactive substances in the tissue whilst sucking blood. They are being successfully used for the treatment of diseases and symptoms, especially in plastic surgery. We report the case of a 7-year old boy, who had lost the first phalanx of the middle finger of the right hand after an accident. The detached digit was replanted in the plastic surgery clinic, and treated within a period of 15 days with medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis). Soon after the initiation of the hirudotherapy, the revascularisation of the re-attached phalanx, as well as the resolving of tissue oedema and pain was observed. Turkish physicians should be aware of the advantages of hirudotherapy in plastic and reconstructive surgery, especially in cases of detached digits and flaps.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Medicinal leeches are known to inject more than 100 bioactive substances in the tissue whilst sucking blood. They are being successfully used for the treatment of diseases and symptoms, especially in plastic surgery.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este reporte de caso describe el uso de terapia con sanguijuelas medicinales (Hirudo medicinalis) en un niño de 7 años tras la replantación de una falange del dedo separada, con revascularización reportada y resolución del edema tisular y el dolor durante un período de tratamiento de 15 días. El reporte es directamente relevante para la hirudoterapia y la aplicación clínica de sustancias bioactivas salivales de la sanguijuela, ilustrando su papel en el apoyo a la supervivencia tisular tras la replantación microquirúrgica, una indicación fundamental dentro del dominio de la ASH. Sin embargo, al tratarse de un reporte de caso único, proporciona únicamente evidencia observacional anecdótica sin métricas cuantitativas de resultados, y no puede establecer la eficacia del tratamiento, los protocolos óptimos ni la generalizabilidad a poblaciones más amplias de pacientes.
Citación
[A case report: hirudotherapy as a treatment modality in the microsurgery].
Arusan S et al. · Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi, 2013
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026