title: Medical leech therapy in plastic reconstructive surgery.
abstract: The use of Hirudo medicinalis in clinical practice has increased in recent years. The primary indication in plastic surgery has traditionally been venous congestion. However, other reported clinical applications were in varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, and osteoarthritis. In this review, we summarize recent data elucidating the role that medicinal leeches play in the field of plastic surgery.
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, USA. Khosrow.Houschyar@Bergmannstrost.com.|Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bergmannstrost Halle, Merseburger Str. 165, 06112, Halle, Germany. Khosrow.Houschyar@Bergmannstrost.com.
authors: Khosrow S
authors: KS
authors: Houschyar
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.
authors: Arash
authors: A
authors: Momeni
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.
authors: Zeshaan N
authors: ZN
authors: Maan
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.
authors: Malcolm N
authors: MN
authors: Pyles
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.
authors: Olivia S
authors: OS
authors: Jew
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Strathe
authors: Department of Internal and Complementary Medicine, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Michalsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches / Q000502:physiology; D024763:Leeching / Q000009:adverse effects; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Leech; Reconstruction; Venous congestion