Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Medicinal leeches: once again at the forefront of medicine

Case report published in South Med J (1990)

Última actualización: June 18, 2026Revisado por: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Case reportEnsayos clínicosSeguridad y control de infeccionesWade JW et al. · South Med J, 1990

Abstract

Medical grade leeches have recently been used in the management of acute problems relative to venous congestion in patients with traumatic injuries and surgical problems. Specific cases, especially in the realm of reconstructive microsurgery, have demonstrated the effectiveness and application of leech therapy. Specific contraindications include arterial insufficiency from either anatomic or mechanical obstruction. We present five illustrative cases of successful therapeutic intervention.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeCase ReportsJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAcute DiseaseAdultAnimalsAnticoagulantsEvaluation Studies as TopicFemaleHirudinsHumansLeechesMaleMicrosurgeryMiddle Aged

Resumen

Five illustrative cases of successful leech therapy in venous congestion management; arterial insufficiency identified as contraindication.

Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia

This case-report article presents five illustrative cases of successful therapeutic application of medical-grade leeches for managing acute venous congestion in patients with traumatic injuries and surgical problems, particularly in the realm of reconstructive microsurgery. This is directly relevant to ASH's domain, as it documents modern clinical hirudotherapy in practice and identifies specific contraindications including arterial insufficiency from anatomic or mechanical obstruction. As indicated by its publication type (Case Reports), the evidence consists of selected successful cases without a control group or systematic outcome reporting, which limits the generalizability of the reported effectiveness.

Citación

Medicinal leeches: once again at the forefront of medicine.

Wade JW et al. · South Med J, 1990

DOI

Contexto clínico relacionado

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

Clinical EvidenceClinical ApplicationsSafety ProtocolsAeromonas ManagementMicrosurgery OutcomesSurgeryChronic Venous InsufficiencyVenous DiseaseOtolaryngology

Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026

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