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Leech Therapy Helps Accident Victim At Rome Memorial Hospital
ROME - Raymond Tucker, an electrical engineer at the Information Directorate Air Force Research Lab - Rome, is no stranger to innovative ideas. So, he wasn't taken by surprise when his doctor recommended leech therapy after reattaching his ear at Rome Memorial Hospital.
Tucker's ear was nearly torn off in a motor vehicle accident July 10. Carl Krasniak, M.D., a board certified plastic surgeon from the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, reattached the ear. But, to save it, he needed a way to keep blood from building up in the tissue after surgery. That's where the leeches came in to help.
"After reconstructive surgery, it can take time for the body to re-establish a good venous return to circulate blood out of the reattached tissue," Dr. Krasniak explained. "We used leeches to draw off the old oxygen-depleted blood, which reduced swelling and allowed fresh blood into the area."
Although Dr. Krasniak had learned leech therapy as part of his training, it was the first time he utilized the technique in the Utica-Rome area. It was also the first time leeches had been used at Rome Memorial Hospital.
"It really didn't bother me when the doctor prescribed leech therapy," Tucker said. "If leech therapy was the treatment that was necessary, that's what I had to do."
At about 9 a.m. July 11, Dr. Krasniak prescribed the leech therapy. Although the hospital didn't have prior experience with the therapy, the Education Department was quick to research the information and developed appropriate protocols. While the Education Department in-serviced the staff, the Pharmacy ordered the leeches. Less than eight hours later, 20 leeches arrived by plane from a supplier in Westbury.
"Everyone involved worked quickly to get the patient what he needed," said Dr. Krasniak. "The hospital's staff was cooperative and open-minded about using a different approach." The history of leech therapy dates back as early as 1500 B.C. and was common for treating multiple ailments through the 19th century. As medical science advanced, leech therapy was largely abandoned until modern plastic surgeons recognized the leech as a solution to a common complication of reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Krasniak applied the first leech to Tucker's ear and then nurses replaced them as they detached. Each leech uses its suction cups at the mouth and the tail to latch on. Then, it feeds on the pooled blood until it gets full. After the leech unlatches, the bite wound continues to bleed for several hours.
"The leech's saliva contains substances that anesthetize the wound area so it doesn't hurt. Other chemicals dilate the blood vessels to increase blood flow and prevent the blood from clotting," Dr. Krasniak explained. "Because of the anti-coagulant, the bite wound continues to bleed which keeps blood from pooling in the reattached area."
Tucker asked for a mirror so he could watch the leeches do their work. The first fed for six hours. "It was really miraculous," he said. "When the ear was reattached it was as black as it could be with coagulated blood. Within those first six hours, I could see the tissue start turning pink as the leeches sucked out the old blood. It was very encouraging. I could actually watch it get better."
The nurses monitored Tucker to make sure he didn't lose too much blood and become anemic. After three days of leech therapy, the swelling and bruising subsided in his reattached ear and he was ready to go home.
"The leeches helped us save most of Mr. Tucker's ear, so his reconstructive surgery will be much less intensive," said Dr. Krasniak. "Without the leech therapy, the entire ear may have been lost."
Tucker said he was "very impressed" with everyone who helped him after his accident. "Rome is not an apathetic city," he said. "Everyone was caring from the neighbors at the crash site to the fire department, the ambulance crew, and the doctors and staff at the hospital."
Dr. Krasniak has been in practice in New Hartford since 1989. He earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester in 1982 and completed his residency in general surgery at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1987. He completed a two-year fellowship in plastic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin and earned board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 1991. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
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