Measures to Reduce Aeromonas Hydrophila Infection that May Occur after Leech Apllication

거머리 사용후 발생할수 있는 Aeromonas hydrophila 감염을 줄이기 위한 대책

Medical application of leeches, by means of leech's blood suction, has advantages in not only directly removing blood congestion, but also preventing hindrance to venous drainage by inhibiting local thrombus formation and inducing continuous bleeding. Nevertheless, Aeromonas hydrophila infection secondary to such suction is most common and may develop into serious conditions from local inflammatory reaction to total necrosis of replanted parts and enterocolitis as well as sepsis. Once infected, it requires infection treatment, removal of necrotic tissues and reconstruction. Hence, duration and cost of treatment increase while functional recovery falls markedly. Accordingly, we present measures to reduce Aeromonas infections as follows: First, do not manipulate as much as possible while the leeches are sucking or moving. Second, the site which suction plates of the leeches are attached, should be selected away from the surgical wound site or open wound as much as possible. Third, contaminated or blood-wet gauze should be replaced often so that the skin of surgical areas would not swell. Furthermore, bleeding or oozing should be well-drained. Fourth, the areas other than the sites of leech attachment should be covered with sterilized gauzes in order to limit leech movement.