Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Surgical Approach to Full Soft Tissue Face Allograft Procurement for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation
Published on: December 30, 2025
Salvage of partial facial soft tissue avulsions with medicinal leeches
John L Frodel1, Patrick Barth, Jon Wagner
1Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania 17822, USA. jlfrodel@geisinger.edu
Background:
Medicinal leeches have been demonstrated to be extremely useful and safe in the salvage of venous outflow compromised tissue, particularly in digit replants and various forms of flaps.
Objective:
To demonstrate the utility of medicinal leeches in the salvage of venous outflow-compromised traumatic soft tissue avulsions in key facial structures.
Methods:
A retrospective review of 4 cases involving the external ear, nose, lip, and scalp in which apparent venous outflow compromise was present. Medicinal leeches were applied acutely in each of these 4 cases, salvaging each of the partially avulsed soft tissue segments.
Results:
Complete or near complete salvage of each soft tissue segment after using medicinal leeches.
Conclusions:
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. This is particularly important in vital structures such as the ear, nose, lip, and eyelid in which acute or secondary reconstruction is complex.
Ebm Rating:
C.