title: Medicinal leeches: once again at the forefront of medicine.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Brabham
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006629:Hirudins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012092:Replantation; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006629:Hirudins