Acute postoperative infection with Aeromonas hydrophila after using medical leeches for treatment of venous congestion

Introduction

Venous convulsion after reconstructive microsurgery procedures is one major complication a surgeon has to deal with. Today, especially in the field of reconstructive microsurgery, medicinal leech therapy enjoys a renaissance. The potential risks such as infections associated with leech therapy are generally underestimated and not sufficiently discussed in literature.

Method/patients

We present five male patients with an average age of 47 years. All patients suffered from a trauma incident, which had to be treated as an emergency. Three patients showed, postoperatively, a venous congestion after the reconstructive procedures. Another two patients with flap reconstruction and flap training developed venous problems after 12 and 14 days. In all five cases, the indication was given to use medical leeches (Hirudo medicinalis). In all the patients, a local infection of the injured extremity could be regarded after beginning with the leech treatment. The treatment duration with medical leeches for postoperative venous congestion was an average of 6 days.

Results

The reconstructive procedures in all five cases were unfortunately unsuccessful as major local infections were observed. Microbiological analyses showed, in all cases, an infection with Aeromonas hydrophila.

Conclusion

We recommend making a considered indication for leech therapy, to diagnose wound infections early and to think about prophylactic antibiotics in patients with leech application.     

The use of medicinal leeches in the salvage of flaps with venous congestion.

The use of medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) for the salvage of tissues with venous congestion has been intermittent over the last two centuries. During the last decade, interest in leech therapy has undergone a resurgence. Hirudo's tricuspid bite injects a highly potent anticoagulant. The site usually bleeds for 1 to 2 hours and under special circumstances may bleed for up to 24 hours. This collective series presents four patients in whom immediate postoperative venous congestion threatened the survival of three tissue replants and one latissimus dorsi flap. Two of the replants were completely salvaged; the other two failed due to infection. Hirudo medicinalis is an important adjunct in preventing flap or replant failure secondary to venous congestion, but its use is associated with significant risks.     

Experimental study on relieving blood stasis of skin flaps using leeches

Isolated congested flaps in lower abdomen of rats were treated by application a method of sucking blood with medical leeches. The results were shown that survival rate of sucking blood group was 93.9%, non-sucking blood group was only 14.3% and small incision bleeding group in which incision was rinsed by Heparin-physiological saline was 25%. It has proved that this method has a very good effect on relieving blood stasis of tissue. We think that this method can be put to use clinically.     

Successful transfer of "free" microvascular superficial temporal artery flap with no obvious venous drainage and use of leeches for reducing venous congestion: case report

A case is presented of "free" flap based on the frontal branch of the left superficial temporal artery and its surrounding soft tissues, without any proper vein for anastomosis, successfully transferred for eyebrow reconstruction. One can argue that this flap was a Wolfe graft. It probably was not for two reasons. First, "hairy Wolfe grafts" are always composite grafts with a thickness of 3-4 mm, as the base of the hair follicles lies in the subcutaneous tissue. Second, the edges of the flap were not sutured to the surrounding skin. Therefore, vascularization is unlikely from the surrounding skin and there was constant, definite oozing from the edge of this flap.     

Successful free flap salvage upon venous congestion in bilateral breast reconstruction using a venous cross-over bypass: A case report

Abdominal free flaps such as the muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (ms-TRAM) or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap represent the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction. We describe a salvage procedure during bilateral free flap breast reconstruction due to insufficient venous drainage using a venous cross-over bypass. A 54-year-old woman with a thrombosis of the left subclavian port-system in the medical history was elected for simultaneous bilateral breast reconstruction with ms-TRAM and DIEP flaps. Intraoperatively, a venous congestion of the DIEP flap, which was connected to the left cranial internal mammary vessels, appeared. In the absence of sufficient ipsilateral venous recipient vessels, we performed a salvage procedure requiring a 15 cm small saphenous vein graft and presternal subcutaneous tunneling. The flap vein was anastomosed end-to-end with the contralateral caudal internal mammary vein using a coupler system. The postoperative course was uneventful and both flaps survived. We describe the cross-over venous emergency bypass as a useful tool in unexpected venous thrombosis during bilateral free flap breast reconstruction.     

The use of leeches for treatment of venous congestion of the nipple following breast surgery

The medicinal leech,Hirudo medicinalis, played a central role in the evolution of medieval and folk medicine. Today, for the first time in history, the leech actually has a real and valuable purpose in medicine as a useful adjunct for the plastic surgeon: It provides relief of venous congestions. For over 2000 years, leeches were needlessly applied for a multitude of maladies as an adjunct to blood-letting. Their use in Europe peaked between 1830 and 1850, however, shortages led to a subsequent decline in leech application. Today there is a real clinical use for leeches which had led to a resurgence in their use in plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons use leeches in microsurgery to salvage congested flaps, whose viability is uncertain due to venous congestion. We present our experience with two patients where leeches were used to treat isolated venous engorgement of the nipple following breast surgery. Leech therapy is painless, well tolerated, and does not result in significant scarring. Prompt initiation of treatment is mandatory and produces dramatic resolution of venous congestion.     

Comparing a mechanical device with medicinal leeches for treating venous congestion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare mechanical device therapy to medicinal leech therapy for treating venous congestion. STUDY DESIGN: Fasciocutaneous flaps of 9 x 7-cm (porcine model, n = 11) were elevated and the associated veins clamped for 15 hours. Device-treated flaps (n = 6) were treated with up to 3 devices/flap. Leech-treated flaps (n = 5) were treated with 75 leeches/flap (5 leeches/hour). Treatment evaluation parameters included: blood volume removed, skin color, surface perfusion, tissue oxygen tension, and endpoint histology. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen in blood volume removed, surface perfusion, and oxygen tension. However, significant differences were seen in skin color change over time. Histological assessment showed mild congestion in 5/5 leech-treated flaps and 2/6 device-treated flaps. CONCLUSION: Device therapy was comparable to leech therapy for decongesting a 9 x 7-cm flap over a 15-hour period. However, digital images and significant differences in skin color change over time demonstrate that device therapy promotes more global decongestion versus leech therapy.     

Successful correction of severe contracture of the palm using arterialized venous flaps

Severe contracture of the palm causes great difficulty in the performance of the tasks required in daily life. Resurfacing with skin grafts may be sufficient for treating mild and small contractures; but severe and extensive contractures involving the joints, tendons, and neurovascular bundles should be covered with thin flaps. The authors present four cases of successful reconstruction of severe and extensive contractures of the palm using large arterialized venous flaps.     

Foot reconstruction using free microvascular muscle flaps with skin grafts

Free muscle flap transfer with skin graft coverage for extensive foot defects can be a successful form of foot reconstruction in well-selected patients who have overall normal foot innervation and deep pressure sensibility. Cutaneous sensibility does not appear to be necessary to maintain a functional or well-healed foot. The major reconstructive goal in plantar foot reconstruction is the restoration of weight-bearing during normal ambulation using regular foot apparel. Based on this reconstructive goal, the authors present their current approach in the reconstruction of extensive defects of the foot using free microvascular muscle flaps with skin grafts.     

局部应用重组水蛭素对家兔耳静脉淤血皮瓣成活的影响

目的 观察局部应用重组水蛭素对家兔耳静脉淤血皮瓣成活的影响.方法 选取健康普通大耳白兔18只,按照随机数字表法分为对照组、低分子肝素治疗组、重组水蛭素治疗组,每组6只.各组家兔麻醉后在左耳背制作静脉淤血皮瓣模型:皮瓣大小为6 cm×3 cm,以耳中心动脉为惟一血供、1 cm宽蒂部为惟一静脉回流途径.术后分别于皮瓣下多点均匀注射 1 mL生理盐水、低分子肝素(625 U)、重组水蛭素(1 U),皮瓣原位缝合.观察皮瓣外观并计算成活率;术后1、3、5、7 d 取皮瓣远端组织检测血栓素B2含量.对数据行单因素方差分析、t检验.结果 各组家兔皮瓣完全坏死区域毛发脱落明显;术后皮瓣均肿胀明显,远端淤血形成,对照组颜色明显深于2个治疗组.术后1 d 重组水蛭素治疗组1只家兔、低分子肝素治疗组2只家兔、对照组4只家兔出现明显血肿.低分子肝素治疗组、重组水蛭素治疗组家兔皮瓣成活率分别为(92.3±1.7)%、(94.8±1.9)%,均高于对照组[(77.9±1.2)%,F=191.29,P＜0.05].2个治疗组家兔皮瓣成活率接近(t=2.75,P>0.05).术后3、5 d,2个治疗组家兔血栓素B2含量均明显低于对照组(t值为6.68~30.55,P值均小于0.01),而2个治疗组家兔血栓素B2含量接近(t值分别为1.22、6.44,P值均大于0.05).结论 局部应用低分子肝素或重组水蛭素,可明显改善家兔皮瓣的静脉淤血,提高皮瓣成活率.

Abstract：

Objective To observe the effect of local injection of recombinant hirudin on survival of skin flaps with venous congestion in a rabbit model. Methods Eighteen healthy rabbits were enrolled and divided into heparin-treatment (HT),recombinant hirudin treatment (RHT) and control (C) groups according to the random number table,with 6 rabbits in each group. After intravenous anesthesia with 20 g/L pentobarbital sodium,model of skin flaps with venous congestion in the size of 6 cm×3 cm was reproduced in the dorsal side of left ear of each rabbit,in which central artery of ear served as the only blood supply,and a pedicle of 1 cm in width including central vessel of ear and its accompanying nerves as the only venous return pathway. Each flap in RHT,HT,C groups was respectively given 1 mL recombinant hirudin (1 U),low-molecular-weight heparin (625 U),and isotonic saline via multi-point and homogenous injection,then they were sutured in site. Appearance and survival rate of the flaps were observed after operation. Specimens of the distal part of flaps were harvested for determination of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) on post operation day (POD) 1,3,5,7. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and t test. Results Rabbit model of skin flaps with venous congestion was reproduced successfully. Obvious hair loss was observed in completely necrotic parts of flap in each group. Obvious edema was observed in all flaps with venous congestion at distal site. The color of flaps in HT and RHT groups were lighter as compared with that in C group,and apparent hematoma of flap was observed in 1 rabbit of RHT group,2 rabbits of HT group,4 rabbits of C group on POD 1. The survival rate of flap in HT and RHT groups was respectively (92.3±1.7)% and (94.8±1.9)%,both higher than that in C group[(77.9±1.2)%,F=191.29,P＜0.05]. There was no statistical difference in survival rate of flap between HT group and RHT group (t=2.75,P>0.05). The content of TXB2 in HT and RHT groups on POD 3,5 was respectively lower than that in C group (with t value from 6.68 to 30.55,P values all below 0.01),but there was no statistical difference between HT and RHT groups (with t value respectively 1.22,6.44,P values all above 0.05). Conclusions Local injection of low-molecular-weight heparin or recombinant hirudin can significantly ameliorate venous congestion of skin flap in rabbit ear,and improve its survival rate.     

Immediate use of medicinal leeches to salvage venous congested reverse pedicled neurocutaneous flaps

Reverse pedicled neurocutaneous flaps have recently become popular for reconstructing soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. Venous congestion is a relatively common problem in these flaps in diabetic patients and those with electric burns, and this may cause partial or complete loss if capillary perfusion is not re‐established urgently. We describe our experience of 13 neurocutaneous flaps, of which five developed venous congestion and were treated successfully with leeches placed immediately.     

桥式游离皮瓣移植血管蒂采用植皮包裹的方法介绍

小腿软组织缺损伴骨与肌腱外露难以用常规局部带蒂皮瓣转移修复,且仪有1条主要血管时,常用健肢血管桥式吻合皮瓣移植.血管蒂以往常采用皮管包裹血管蒂技术,为了减轻对供区的损伤,我们采用血管蒂上植皮而不采用皮管包裹的方法,进行桥式吻合血管皮瓣移植术取得满意效果,现介绍方法如下.     

Immediate use of medicinal leeches to salvage venous congested reverse pedicled neurocutaneous flaps.

Reverse pedicled neurocutaneous flaps have recently become popular for reconstructing soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. Venous congestion is a relatively common problem in these flaps in diabetic patients and those with electric burns, and this may cause partial or complete loss if capillary perfusion is not re-established urgently. We describe our experience of 13 neurocutaneous flaps, of which five developed venous congestion and were treated successfully with leeches placed immediately.