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.
Резюме
A universal protocol determining the number of leeches and their application time does not exist.
Почему это важно для гирудотерапии
This study quantified perfusion dynamics in venous-congested tissues after leech application using the Oxygen to See (O2C) device—which measures blood flow, relative hemoglobin, and oxygen saturation—in twelve patients receiving leech therapy. Leech application produced a nonsignificant perfusion improvement at 10 minutes, with significant changes at one hour (blood flow +56.7%; relative hemoglobin −25.5%; oxygen saturation +53.7%), returning to baseline by three hours; in two cases requiring additional leeches within the measurement period, no substantial perfusion changes were observed. The authors conclude that venous drainage improvement can be expected approximately one hour after leech administration and that O2C monitoring may help determine appropriate leech numbers and therapy duration. This study is directly relevant to leech therapy, providing objective microcirculatory data, though it enrolled only 12 patients.
Цитирование
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
Связанный клинический контекст
Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой
Добавлено в библиотеку ASH: May 27, 2026 · Последнее обновление сайта: June 18, 2026