Effect of Jaloukavacharana (Leech therapy) on Reconstructive Flaps - A Review

Abstract

Jaloukas have been used medically for thousands of years dating back to ancient time. Today medicinal leeches are mostly used after Sandhana Karma i.e., in plastic and Reconstructive surgeries for the salvage of free, pedicled and even microvascular anastomosed flaps having venous congestion. The aim of this study is to spotlight on the role of leech therapy after Sandhanakarma. The systemic review of literature was conducted from the online databases and the results obtained in the patients after leech therapy were observed. This study has confirmed the excellent and predictable healing after Jaloukavacharana over the congested flaps. The benefits depend on these main properties of the medicinal leech like bloodletting action during active suction of blood, passive oozing of the wound for 1-2 days and injection of biologically active substances with the saliva into the host. Hence leech therapy is safe, easy to use, beneficial and cost-effective treatment modality to save flaps and reattached body parts in plastic and reconstructive surgery.