Abstract
OBJECTIVE
1) Understand the use of medicinal leeches in the management of wounds in the oral cavity. 2) Learn proper timing of leech administration in vasocongested tissues.
METHOD
A 14-year-old male presented to the emergency room after sustaining an accidental near-total amputation of the mobile tongue. The injury consisted of a severe laceration of both sides of the mobile tongue remaining pedicled on a 1 cm base of tongue tissue. The patient was taken to the OR for immediate repair but developed severe venocongestion post-operatively.
RESULTS
Hirudotherapy was started 24 hours post-repair with eventual salvage of the patient's mobile tongue.
CONCLUSION
Hirudotherapy is a useful adjunct for the management of tongue injuries leading to severe vasocongestion.