Effect of hyperbaric oxygen and medicinal leeching on survival of axial skin flaps subjected to total venous occlusion
Animal model study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1999)
Abstract
This study evaluates the effect of hyperbaric oxygen and medicinal leeching on axial skin flaps subjected to total venous occlusion. Axial epigastric skin flaps (3 x 6 cm) were elevated on their vascular pedicles in 40 male Wistar rats. Total venous occlusion was achieved by division of all veins draining the skin flap. Arterial inflow was left intact. Animals were randomly assigned to one of five groups: sham (n = 8); control, total venous occlusion only (n = 8); occlusion with hyperbaric oxygen (n = 8); occlusion with leeching (n = 8); occlusion with leeching and hyperbaric oxygen (n = 8). The hyperbaric oxygen protocol consisted of 90-minute treatments, twice daily, with 100% O2 at 2.5 atmospheres absolute for 4 days. The leeching protocol consisted of placing medicinal leeches on the congested flaps for 15 minutes, once daily, for 4 days. Laser Doppler measurements of flap perfusion were recorded preoperatively, postoperatively, and on postoperative days 1 and 3. The percentage of flap necrosis was evaluated on postoperative day 3. Mean percentage necrosis and mean laser Doppler readings were compared between both groups. The flaps in the sham group demonstrated 99 percent survival, whereas the flaps in the occlusion-only group demonstrated 100 percent necrosis. The flaps in the occlusion with oxygen, the occlusion with leeching, and the occlusion with oxygen and leeching groups demonstrated 1, 25, and 67 percent survival, respectively. Sham laser Doppler readings remained within normal limits. Laser Doppler readings in the occlusion-only and the occlusion with oxygen groups decreased to negligible levels on postoperative day 1, and on postoperative day 3 no perfusion was demonstrated. In both the occlusion with leeching and the occlusion with leeching and oxygen groups, there was also a significant decrease in laser Doppler measurements after surgery, but perfusion remained stable throughout the remainder of the study. This study demonstrates that hyperbaric oxygen alone is not an effective treatment for skin flaps compromised by total venous occlusion. The combination of leeching and hyperbaric oxygen treatment of total venous occlusion results in a significant increase in flap survival above that found with leeching alone. It appears that hyperbaric oxygen is effective because of the venous outflow provided by leeching as demonstrated by laser Doppler flow readings.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Rat axial epigastric skin flap model with total venous occlusion: leeching alone yielded 25% flap survival, while combined leeching with hyperbaric oxygen yielded 67% survival, vs 0% in controls. Hyperbaric oxygen requires venous outflow (provided by leeches) to work.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio experimental en 40 ratas macho Wistar evaluó si la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica, la aplicación de sanguijuelas medicinales o su combinación podían mejorar la supervivencia de colgajos cutáneos epigástricos axiales sometidos a oclusión venosa total. La aplicación de sanguijuelas consistió en colocar sanguijuelas medicinales sobre los colgajos congestionados durante 15 minutos diarios a lo largo de 4 días. Los resultados mostraron que, mientras que la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica sola produjo únicamente un 1 % de supervivencia del colgajo, la aplicación de sanguijuelas sola alcanzó un 25 % de supervivencia, y la combinación de sanguijuelas con oxigenoterapia hiperbárica produjo un 67 % de supervivencia. Las mediciones con Laser Doppler confirmaron que la aplicación de sanguijuelas mantuvo una perfusión estable durante todo el período del estudio. Este estudio es directamente relevante para el ámbito de ASH, ya que aporta evidencia preclínica de que la aplicación de sanguijuelas medicinales alivia la congestión venosa y sinergiza con la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica en el rescate de colgajos. La principal limitación es que estos hallazgos proceden de un modelo animal y que la traslación directa a la hirudoterapia clínica en humanos requiere investigación adicional.
Citación
Effect of hyperbaric oxygen and medicinal leeching on survival of axial skin flaps subjected to total venous occlusion.
Lozano DD et al. · Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1999
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026