Medicinal leeches used to salvage a traumatic nasal flap
Case report published in The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery (1998)
Abstract
We report a case in which medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) were used to rescue a traumatic nasal flap from venous congestion and loss. A healthy 18-year-old had a bicycling accident and, in addition to other facial injuries, presented with a complex full thickness nasal laceration. After he had been resuscitated and the flap sutured, he was treated with two leeches four times a day for 48 h. His recovery was satisfactory and uncomplicated. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be familiar with the use of leeches, as they have a small but occasionally important role in the management of both traumatic and reconstructive flaps.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Research article relevant to leech therapy and its derived compounds.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This case report describes the use of medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) to rescue a traumatic nasal flap from venous congestion in a healthy 18-year-old who sustained complex facial injuries in a bicycling accident. After resuscitation and flap suturing, two leeches were applied four times daily for 48 hours, with satisfactory and uncomplicated recovery. This is directly relevant to ASH's domain as a clinical example of hirudotherapy in maxillofacial plastic surgery, illustrating the utility of leech therapy for salvaging compromised flaps. However, this is a single case report with no control group or comparative data, providing limited evidence; long-term outcomes are not reported beyond the immediate recovery period.
Citación
Medicinal leeches used to salvage a traumatic nasal flap
Mortenson BW · The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery, 1998
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026