Surgical Leeches & Cellulitis

Leeches are parasites used for centuries to treat illness. Historically, bloodletting caused severe anemia. George Washington decided on leech therapy for a sore throat, lost four quarts of blood and died within 24 hours. Today, leeches are used postoperatively with careful observation.

Surgical Leech Therapy

• Leeches are used on areas that have venous congestion, in which dilated veins and capillaries interrupt normal circulation. Leeches suck blood from the area, reducing the congestion. They are beneficial in reconstructive surgery involving skin grafts, skin flaps and implants.

Cellulitis

• Surgical leech therapy can cause infection in 20 percent of cases, according to RNceus, an educational website for nurses. Leeches carry bacteria known to cause cellulitis. Signs of infection appear within two to 11 days. Antibiotic treatment is required to avoid further complications such as sepsis.

Considerations

• A report in the "Journal of Plastic Surgery" states that a large skin flap can require 200 leeches in 10 days, creating a risk of anemia. Migrating leeches can travel to the ears, mouth, nose and perineum, attaching themselves to healthy tissue. Migration can be avoided by suturing leeches to the treatment area. People with compromised immune system and coagulation problems should not receive leech therapy.