Medicinal leeches used to salvage a traumatic nasal flap.
We report a case in which medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) were used to rescue a traumatic nasal flap from venous congestion and loss. A healthy 18-year-old had a bicycling accident and, in addition to other facial injuries, presented with a complex full thickness nasal laceration. After he had been resuscitated and the flap sutured, he was treated with two leeches four times a day for 48 h. His recovery was satisfactory and uncomplicated. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be familiar with the use of leeches, as they have a small but occasionally important role in the management of both traumatic and reconstructive flaps.
Mortenson
B W
BW
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Washington, Seattle 98195-7134, USA.
Dawson
K H
KH
Murakami
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012092:Replantation; D014022:Tissue Survival