Hirudotherapy for Venous Congestion in an Almost Completely Avulsed Earlobe without Microsurgical Repair
Case report published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (2023)
Abstract
Venous congestion is a frequent and challenging complication after re-attachment or replantation of avulsed tissues, body parts, and flaps. It is often the reason for failure. One of the successful therapies to prevent and/or treat venous congestion is the use of medicinal leeches. There is sound evidence for its efficacy in plastic and reconstructive surgery for avulsed body parts or flaps. However, there is not enough evidence for its use in ear reconstruction or replantation, especially regarding the fragile tissue of the earlobes. The current study is the first in the literature to describe the use of hirudotherapy for venous congestion in an almost completely avulsed earlobe without microsurgical blood vessel repair, as a last resort in an otherwise healthy 38-year-old male patient who sustained trauma due to physical assault.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Hirudotherapy successfully rescued an almost completely avulsed earlobe without microsurgical blood vessel repair in a 38-year-old male after physical assault — the first report of leech therapy for earlobe-only avulsion without microsurgery.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This case report describes the first documented use of hirudotherapy for venous congestion in an almost completely avulsed earlobe without microsurgical blood vessel repair, performed as a last resort in an otherwise healthy 38-year-old male trauma patient following physical assault. This study is directly and centrally relevant to ASH's domain, as it documents a novel application of medicinal leech therapy in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the earlobe—an anatomical site for which the authors note evidence has been lacking despite sound evidence existing for hirudotherapy in other avulsed body parts and flaps. CAVEAT: This is a single case report with no controls; while it extends the documented applications of hirudotherapy, it does not establish efficacy or safety through comparative or larger-scale evidence.
Citación
Hirudotherapy for Venous Congestion in an Almost Completely Avulsed Earlobe without Microsurgical Repair.
Vargas N et al. · Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2023
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026