Leech treatment for prolonged digital ischemia

Abstract

Surgeons must be cautious when using digital tourniquets. Although a digital tourniquet is a simple, cheap,effective, and reliable method to ensure a bloodless operative field distal to the etatarsophalangeal joint, complications can be very serious. Forgotten tourniquets can cause catastrophic complications for both a patient and a surgeon. When any emergency department comes upagainst the complication of a forgotten tourniquet, medicinal leeches may be a useful adjunct for treatment.