Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi Araştırmaları; 2004
İbrahim CANPOLAT ve Naim SAĞLAM
TREATMENT OF A DIFFUSE HEMATOMA IN A DOG
WITH THE MEDICINAL LEECH, HIRUDO MEDICINALIS
* İbrahim CANPOLAT,
** Naim SAĞLAM
*Fırat Üniversitesi, Veteriner Fakültesi, Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı-ELAZIĞ
**Fırat Üniversitesi, Su Ürünleri Fakültesi-ELAZIĞ
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
In this study, a dog with a large hematoma on the right side of its body after a blunt injury was brought to the
Surgery Clinic of Veterinary Faculty in the University of Firat, Elazig. Five medicinal leeches (H
medicinalis), obtained from Cip Fisheries Research Station of Fisheries Faculty, Firat University were placed
on the hematoma. The leeches detached from the skin completed blood sucking, about 15–25 minutes. The
treatment was repeated daily for 4 days. The hematoma dissolved within a few days after the end of the
treatment.
Keywords: Hematoma, Treatment, Medicinal Leech, Dog.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ÖZET
YAYGIN HEMATOMU BULUNAN BİR KÖPEĞİN TIBBİ
SÜLÜK, HIRUDO MEDICINALIS İLE SAĞALTIMI
Küt bir travma sonrasında sağ tarafında oldukça yaygın hematom’u bulunan bir köpek Fırat Üniversitesi,
Veteriner Fakültesi, Cerrahi Kliniğine getirildi. Fırat Üniversitesi Su ürünleri Fakültesi Cip Araştırma
Merkezinden alınan 5 tıbbi sülük hematom üzerine konuldu. Bölgeye tutturulan sülükler 15-25 dakika
sürelerde kan emmeyi tamamladılar. Bu sağaltım 4 gün süreyle her gün uygulandı. Hematom tedavinin
sonlanmasından sonra kısa bir süre içerisinde sağaltıldı.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Hematom, Sağaltım, Tıbbi Sülük, Köpek
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. INTRODUCTION
blunt injury was brought to the Surgical Clinic of
Veterinary Faculty in the University of Firat, Elazig
on December 15, 2002. Hematoma of dog extended
from abdomen until the third rib. In clinic inspecting
was determined hematoma on the right side of body
of dog after a blunt injury. We decided to treat
hematoma with medicinal leech, H. medicinalis.
Five medicinal leeches, obtained from Cip Fisheries
Research Station of Fisheries Faculty, Firat
University were placed on the skin in the area of the
hematoma. The leeches detached from the skin after
completing a blood meal, usually after 15–25
minutes. The treatment was repeated daily for 4
days.
The medicinal leech, H. medicinalis, has
been used with increasing frequency during the past
few years for salvage of compromised pedicled flaps
and microvascular free-tissue transfers (Rao and
Whitaker, 2003; Adams and Lassen, 1995; Dabb et
al., 1992). Medicinal leech is used in humans for
hematomas of tongue (Grossman and Karlovitz,
1998), testis (Goessl et al., 1997; Isgar and Turner,
1989), orbit (Menage and Wright, 1991.) and toe
(Halton, 1989.). The leech produces a number of
diverse salivary secretions that include an anesthetic,
anticoagulant
(hirudin),
local
vasodilator
(histamine), and an enzyme (hyaluronidase)
(Sawyer, 1986). The aims of study were to treat
large hematoma of a dog with medicinal leech and to
announce the results to our colleagues.
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS
A two years old German Shepherd dog with a
large hematoma on the right side of its body after a
97
Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi Araştırmaları; 2004
İbrahim CANPOLAT ve Naim SAĞLAM
Fig. 1. View the first boundary of hematoma on the
dog.
Fig.3. View of the leech attached to the hematoma
at the third day .
Fig. 2. Showing the leech attached to the
hematoma
3.
Fig. 4. Last appearance of the hematoma area of
the dog.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
surgery such as digit reattachment, breast surgery,
scalp avulsions, skin graft procedures and in the
treatment of periorbital hematomas (Kraemer et
al.,1988). In this study, the treatment German
Shepherd dog with leech ((H. medicinalis) of large
hematoma of wolf dog was practiced.
Leech therapy was repeated daily for 4 days.
The hematoma dissolved within a few days after the
end of the treatment. Hematoma was completely
absorbed after five day from leech therapy and the
skin color became normal. The application of
leeches is one of the oldest recorded medical
treatments with the first account documented
approximately 2500 years ago. Until the advent of
newer therapies in the mid 1800's the application of
leeches was considered standard medical practice
for a variety of illnesses. Over the last decade, the
medicinal application of leeches has re-entered the
mainstream
of
modern
medical
practice
researchers and surgeons are enthusiastic about
leech therapy to reduce tissue congestion in areas
where arterial input is maintained but venous return
is severely compromised. The bite of the leech
produces a small bleeding wound that mimics
venous circulation in the area of compromised
tissue. Salivary secretions released by the leech
foster prolonged localized bleeding and aid in the
treatment of venous insufficiency and tissue
congestion. In this manner, leech therapy has been
used successfully as adjunct therapy following
cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, reimplantation
It has been reported that leech therapy may
sometimes be complicated by Aeromonas
hydrophila. This Gram-negative bacterium is a
normal enteric organism of the leech. Therefore, in
the leech therapy to patients an antibiotic as
prophylactic are recommended (Cooper and
Mahaffey, 1986.). As in this study, no infection was
seen after leech therapy, no antibiotic was not used.
Although the leeche is considered as
parasite, some researches (Cooper, 1989; Cooper
and Mahaffey, 1986) have used it for treatment
purpose in humans and animals. In this study, large
hematoma of a dog with leech therapy was
completely recovered.
98
Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi Araştırmaları; 2004
İbrahim CANPOLAT ve Naim SAĞLAM
4. REFERENCES
treatment of massive lingual hematoma. J
Trauma. Jun;44(6):1083-5
1. Adams, J.F. and Lassen, L.F. 1995. Leech
therapy for venous congestion following
myocutaneous pectoralis flap reconstruction.
ORL Head Neck Nurs.,13, 12-14.
7. Halton, C.M.1989. Those-Amazing Leeches.
Dillon Press. Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota. 120
p.
2. Cooper J.E. 1989. Veterinary surgeons and
leeches. Vet. Rec.,121,117.
8. Isgar B. and Turner AG.1989. Large scrotal
haematoma treated with medicinal leeches. Br J
Urol., 64(5), 549-50.
3. Cooper J.E. and Mahaffey K.1986. Applebee K.
Anesthesia of the medicinal leech (Hirudo
medicinalis) Vet. Rec., 118, 589-590.
9. Kraemer, B.A., Korber, K.E., Aquino, T.I, and
Engleman, A.1988. Use of leeches in plastic and
reconstructive surgery: a review. J. Reconstr.
Wicrosurg, 4(5), 381-386.
4. Dabb, R.W., Malone, J.M. and Leverett,
L.C.1992. The use of medicinal leeches in the
salvage of flaps with venous congestion. Ann
Plast Surg., 29, 250-256.
10. Menage M.J. and Wright G.1991. Use of
leeches in a case of severe periorbital
haematoma. Br. J. Ophthalmol., 75(12), 755-6.
5. Goessl C, Steffen-Wilke K, and Miller K. 1997.
Leech therapy for massive scrotal hematoma
following
percutaneous
transluminal
angioplasty. J Urol., 158(2), 545.
11. Rao, J. and Whitaker, I. S.2003. Use of Hirudo
medicinalis by maxillofacial surgical units in the
United Kingdom: current views and practice.
British J. Oral and Maxillo. Surg., 41,54-55.
6. Grossman, M.D. and Karlovitz, A.1998. Lingual
trauma: the use of medicinal leeches in the
12. Sawyer, R.T.1986. Leech
Behaviour. Clarendan,Oxford.
99
Biology
and