Medicinal Leech Therapy for Salvage of the Failing Flap

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2000;16(1):20-25.
Published online May 30, 2000.

Chung Hwan Baek;Juno Shin;Joo Hyun Park

피판 부전증의 구제를 위한 약용거머리 치료법

백정환;신준호;박주현

Abstract

The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, has been used for salvage of the venous-congested flap following reconstructive surgery, with increasing frequency during the last two decades. Medicinal leech therapy is a safe, efficacious, economical, and well-tolerated intervention. The flap salvage with leeching occurs in approximately 70% of cases, and leeches need to be used as early as possible. At the time of the bite, evacuation of blood and injection of the leech saliva products, including anticoagulants and inhibitors of platelet aggregation, maintain capillary circulation of the flap, and then venous capillary return is established across the wound by angiogenesis. One of the salivary products, hirudin, represents the first parenteral anticoagulant introduced since the discovery of heparin. We analyzed two cases in which flap salvage with leeching was attempted, and reviewed medicinal leech therapy on the basis of our experiences and literature review. This has not been documented in the head and neck surgery literature in our country.

Key Words: Medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, Hirudin, Flap