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.
Resumen
Two cases demonstrating leech-assisted resolution of isolated postoperative nipple venous engorgement after breast surgery, with painless, well-tolerated therapy and minimal scarring.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este reporte de caso describe dos pacientes en quienes se utilizaron sanguijuelas Hirudo medicinalis para tratar la ingurgitación venosa aislada del pezón tras cirugía mamaria, informando los autores que la terapia fue indolora, bien tolerada, no produjo cicatrización significativa y logró una resolución espectacular de la congestión venosa cuando se inició de forma temprana. Para la ASH, es directamente relevante como aplicación clínica de la hirudoterapia para la congestión venosa. La advertencia clara, consistente con el tipo de publicación (Reportes de Caso), es que solo involucra a dos pacientes sin grupo control, comparador ni detalles de seguimiento más allá de los desenlaces reportados, por lo que no puede establecer de forma fiable la eficacia, la incidencia de beneficios ni la seguridad.
Citación
The use of leeches for treatment of venous congestion of the nipple following breast surgery.
Gross MP, Apesos J · Aesthetic plastic surgery, 1992
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026