Medicinal leech therapy: a case study.
Essential to the outcome of the replantation of digits is adequate arterial inflow and venous outflow. A nonoperative solution to the problem of venous insufficiency is leeching. The leech relieves venous congestion while attached, as the hirudin released by the leech continues to decongest the digit for 1-2 more hours. The emphasis of this article is a case study using leeches for venous congestion as an alternative to surgery.
Baker
C A
CA
Nayduch
D A
DA
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004487:Edema / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012092:Replantation / Q000451:nursing*; D013933:Thumb / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*