The Use of Medicinal Leeching in Breast Surgery: A Systematic Review
Systematic review published in J Clin Med (2024)
Abstract
Background: The medicinal leech has been used in plastic surgery to resolve venous congestion that can threaten the viability of tissue transfer. Within the context of breast surgery, venous congestion is a pertinent consideration for reconstructive and non-reconstructive breast surgery such as mammoplasty and mastopexy. However, leeching is closely associated with complications such as infection, pain, and anaemia. This is the first systematic review that examines the methodology, efficacy, and post therapeutic outcome data across all existing studies on medicinal leeching in breast surgery. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to November 2023 was conducted. Inclusion criteria included studies reporting on the use of leeches to resolve venous congestion in any breast surgery. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Series tool was used for bias analysis. Descriptive statistics were undertaken in Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 18 studies with a combined sample size of 28 were examined, including 4 case series and 14 case reports. Patients mostly underwent reconstructive breast surgery (75%). The median number of leeches used was two, with a median number of three leeching sessions per day and 3 days of leeching. Medicinal leeching successfully prevented the loss of 75% of all tissue transfers. The complication rate was high at 81.14% and mainly included infection and anaemia. Conclusions: Medicinal leeching is an effective method to relieve venous congestion in breast surgery but must be judiciously used within the clinical context of the patient to maximise efficacy and mitigate harm from complications.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Systematic review of 18 studies (28 patients) of medicinal leeching in breast surgery: 75% tissue salvage with high complication rate (81%) primarily infection and anaemia. Median 2 leeches/session, 3 sessions/day, 3 days total.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Esta revisión sistemática examinó 18 estudios (4 series de casos, 14 reportes de caso) con un total de 28 pacientes que recibieron sanguijuelación medicinal por congestión venosa en cirugía mamaria, con un régimen mediano de dos sanguijuelas por sesión, tres sesiones diarias, durante tres días. La sanguijuelación previno la pérdida del 75% de las transferencias tisulares, pero la tasa de complicaciones fue del 81,14%, principalmente infección y anemia. La revisión es directamente relevante para ASH, al aportar evidencia agregada sobre la eficacia y la morbilidad de la terapia con sanguijuelas específicamente en cirugía mamaria. La evidencia subyacente consiste predominantemente en reportes de casos y pequeñas series de casos, y el tamaño muestral combinado total es de 28 pacientes.
Citación
The Use of Medicinal Leeching in Breast Surgery: A Systematic Review.
Rajaram R et al. · Journal of clinical medicine, 2024
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026