Bacterial Identification in the Medicinal Leech

ABSTRACT

The use of medicinal leech(Hirudo medicinalis) has been increased during the past years and is a very common procedure for treatment of venous congestion in flaps and replanted part in plastic surgery. One of the main complication in using leeches is infection. We used the medicinal leeches in venous congestion after total ear reconstruction(8 cases) and replanted finger(1 case). A bacteriologic study of the leeches is undertaken before applying it to the patient and an antibiotic susceptibility test was also performed. In 6 patients. 6 pathogenic organisms were identified, and in 2 cases 2 different organisms were identified simultaneously.