title: Immediate use of medicinal leeches to salvage venous congested reverse pedicled neurocutaneous flaps.
abstract: Reverse pedicled neurocutaneous flaps have recently become popular for reconstructing soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. Venous congestion is a relatively common problem in these flaps in diabetic patients and those with electric burns, and this may cause partial or complete loss if capillary perfusion is not re-established urgently. We describe our experience of 13 neurocutaneous flaps, of which five developed venous congestion and were treated successfully with leeches placed immediately.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kartal Dr. Lütfü Kirdar Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gideroglu
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Mithat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akan
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akoz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007865:Leeches; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*