Comparing a mechanical device with medicinal leeches for treating venous congestion.
OBJECTIVE
To compare mechanical device therapy to medicinal leech therapy for treating venous congestion.


METHODS
Fasciocutaneous flaps of 9 x 7-cm (porcine model, n = 11) were elevated and the associated veins clamped for 15 hours. Device-treated flaps (n = 6) were treated with up to 3 devices/flap. Leech-treated flaps (n = 5) were treated with 75 leeches/flap (5 leeches/hour). Treatment evaluation parameters included: blood volume removed, skin color, surface perfusion, tissue oxygen tension, and endpoint histology.


RESULTS
No significant differences were seen in blood volume removed, surface perfusion, and oxygen tension. However, significant differences were seen in skin color change over time. Histological assessment showed mild congestion in 5/5 leech-treated flaps and 2/6 device-treated flaps.


CONCLUSIONS
Device therapy was comparable to leech therapy for decongesting a 9 x 7-cm flap over a 15-hour period. However, digital images and significant differences in skin color change over time demonstrate that device therapy promotes more global decongestion versus leech therapy.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, K4/720 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA. hartig@surgery.wisc.edu
Gregory K
GK
Hartig
Nadine P
NP
Connor
Dennis M
DM
Heisey
Michael L
ML
Conforti
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D024763:Leeching / Q000379:methods*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011897:Random Allocation; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*