Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia Due to Hirudotherapy: A Case Report

Leech therapy, which can lead to complications such as anemia and bleeding, has been used to treat many diseases since ancient times. Furthermore, some substances in leech saliva are known to have anticoagulant effects. Acute mesenteric ischemia, which develops due to mesenteric vascular obstruction, can be treated medically or surgically. Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) occurs as a result of decreased blood flow in mesenteric vessels due to hypovolemia, hypotension, etc. In this report, we mentioned a 57-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department with syncope and weakness. In his medical history, the patient was stated to have used leech therapy to treat diabetic wounds on his feet, and prolonged and unstoppable bleeding was seen after leech bites. On his physical examination, there was tenderness in all quadrants of the abdomen. Abdominal computed tomography without contrast agent showed hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PSI). The patient underwent laparotomy owing to the development of acute abdomen during the follow-up. Necrosis was seen in the terminal ileum and entire colon. Low flow in mesenteric vascular vessels of these necrotic segments was indicated with intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography. All necrotic segments were resected and open end-ileostomy was performed. The patient was discharged on the 17th day of follow-up. In conclusion, excessive bleeding caused by leech therapy can cause NOMI.

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

Leech therapy, which can lead to complications such as anemia and bleeding, has been used to treat many diseases since ancient times. Furthermore, some substances in leech saliva are known to have anticoagulant effects.

Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой

More peer-reviewed studies in Клинические исследования.

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Reverse Sural Flap Venous Congestion Successfully Managed With Enoxaparin in a Male Patient With a Traumatic Foot Crush Injury: A Case Report — Velasco-Bustamante J et al. (2026)
• Investigation of the therapeutic effects of medicinal leech treatment on lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury — Ünal K et al. (2026)
• Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Diverse Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Study from Azerbaijan — Farzali S et al. (2025)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW — Heinz P et al. (2020)
• Hirudotherapy Efficacy and Complications in the Management of Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review — Foppiani J et al. (2024)
• Hirudotherapy in Wound Healing — Nair H et al. (2022)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →