title: Tunneling of a leech into a free flap breast reconstruction.
abstract: Leeches are well known to migrate over the surface of the treated tissues. At times, they can be located in remote locations once they become engorged and detach. We report the first case of a leech tunneling through a dermal bite wound on a breast free flap.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flurry
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Natoli
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mesa
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Moyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D047709:Hirudo medicinalis; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000628:therapy*; D024763:Leeching / Q000009:adverse effects; D016462:Mammaplasty; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology