Medicinal leeches are extremely useful and safe in the salvage of venous outflow compromised tissue, particularly in digit replants and various forms of flaps. Although it is unusual for a partial soft tissue avulsion of the face to require medicinal
leech therapy, situations may occur in which there is adequate arterial inflow but inadequate venous outflow. In such cases, medicinal leeches may play a very important role in salvaging the soft tissue segment. We report a case of a 34-year-old gentleman who showed signs of
venous congestion following primary management for a traumatic nasal flap. Successful salvage of
venous congestion was done using medicinal
leech therapy, once daily, for 5 days. His recovery deemed satisfactory and uncomplicated. Medicinal leeches are well-known in the treatment of
venous congestion or complete venous outflow obstruction in larger
pedicled flaps and microvascular transfers. In
trauma, it is well established that medicinal leeches are invaluable in treating
venous congestion in digit replants and
replantation of totally avulsed external ear segments. A limited number of other reports have demonstrated the use of medicinal leeches for salvage of other partially avulsed facial structures. Medicinal leeches have a significant role in the management of traumatic and microvascular flaps, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon should weigh the benefits of such treatment before instituting other expensive or complex treatment modalities.