title: The use of leeches in a case of post-operative life-threatening macroglossia.
abstract: A case of severe macroglossia, following intraoral surgery, causing respiratory distress is described. Because conventional therapy appeared inadequate, leeches were used and proved an efficient method of reducing this life-threatening swelling of the tongue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Engelberts
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches; D008260:Macroglossia / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*