The value of medical leeches in the treatment of class IIC ring avulsion injuries: Report of 2 cases

Ring avulsion injuries pose a serious problem for the hand surgeon. According to the severity of the injury several classifications and their modifications have been proposed. In class IIC ring avulsion injuries arterial circulation is intact but only the venous supply is disrupted. Several therapeutic approaches have been suggested for these types of injuries. We present two class IIC cases that were treated successfully solely with leeches, with excellent results. Although the method is not a substitute for microvascular intervention leeches can be used when the clinical condition of a patient does not permit a lengthy surgery and if microvascular techniques fail or are thought to be pointless. Copyright (C) 2004 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.