Determining the appropriate number and duration of leech therapy in congested tissues using tissue spectrophotometry and laser Doppler flowmetry
Research article published in Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society (2016)
Abstract
A universal protocol determining the number of leeches and their application time does not exist. The aim of this study, therefore, is to quantify perfusion dynamics in venous congested tissues after leech application to get more detailed information about changes due to leech-induced skin microcirculation and to evaluate the usability of the Oxygen to See (O2C) device in terms of determining the appropriate number of leeches and the duration of therapy. Twelve patients with the need for leech therapy participated in the study. Perfusion dynamics of the congested tissue was assessed using the O2C device, which determines blood flow (BF), the relative amount of hemoglobin (rHB), and the oxygen saturation (SO2). Measurements were carried out before leech application and on various intervals like 10 minutes, one hour, and three hours after leech application. The leech application effectuated after 10 minutes a nonsignificant perfusion improvement, which further increased after one hour with a significant reduction of the relative amount of hemoglobin and a significant increase of blood flow and oxygen saturation (BF= +56.7%; rHB= -25.5%; SO2= +53.7%). After three hours, the values returned to the levels before leech administration. In two cases, in which further administration of leeches within the measurement period was necessary, no substantial perfusion changes were obtained. The results of this study forms a more precise pattern of microcirculatory changes of leech therapy in congested tissues. According to our measurements a venous drainage improvement can be expected in congested tissue one hour after leech administration. The O2C seems to be a useful method to determine the appropriate number and duration of leech therapy.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
A universal protocol determining the number of leeches and their application time does not exist.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio cuantificó la dinámica de perfusión en tejidos con congestión venosa tras la aplicación de sanguijuelas utilizando el dispositivo Oxygen to See (O2C)—que mide el flujo sanguíneo, la hemoglobina relativa y la saturación de oxígeno—en doce pacientes que recibieron terapia con sanguijuelas. La aplicación de sanguijuelas produjo una mejoría de la perfusión no significativa a los 10 minutos, con cambios significativos a la hora (flujo sanguíneo +56.7%; hemoglobina relativa −25.5%; saturación de oxígeno +53.7%), retornando a los valores basales a las tres horas; en dos casos que requirieron sanguijuelas adicionales dentro del período de medición, no se observaron cambios sustanciales en la perfusión. Los autores concluyen que puede esperarse una mejoría del drenaje venoso aproximadamente una hora después de la administración de las sanguijuelas y que la monitorización con O2C puede ayudar a determinar el número apropiado de sanguijuelas y la duración de la terapia. Este estudio es directamente relevante para la terapia con sanguijuelas, ya que aporta datos microcirculatorios objetivos, aunque solo incluyó a 12 pacientes.
Citación
Determining the appropriate number and duration of leech therapy in congested tissues using tissue spectrophotometry and laser Doppler flowmetry
Rothenberger J et al. · Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society, 2016
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026