EFFECT OF LEECH THERAPY IN DIABETIC FOOT ULCER A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcer is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. There is a significant risk of loss of limb as a result of delayed and improper treatment. In our country a large number of cases have to suffer from amputation, out of them maximum amputations can be prevented by timely intervention. Ayurvedic texts describe leech therapy (a type of bloodletting) as an effective way to treat infected ulcers. Diabetic ulcers have been mentioned as Madhumehaja vrana in Ayurvedic texts. A male patient named Murari, aged 45 years visited CBPACS with diabetic foot ulcer with gangrene of two lateral toes, who was initially treated at some private hospitals and AIIMS, but could not get much relief. He was put on leech therapy along with conservative management. After almost 3 months of therapy his ulcer was healed completely and his foot was saved. Thus it can be concluded that leech therapy is a potent, safe and cost effective way to deal with diabetic foot ulcers and it can save many limbs from amputation.