Efficacy of Jalukavacharan in Post Operative Venous Congestion with Special Reference to Auroplasty and Pedical Skin Graft Repair

Abstract

Venous congestion is a common and troublesome complication of reconstructive surgeries like auroplasty (repair of earlobe) and repair of pedicle skin grafts. Dysfunctional venous drainage causes stasis of blood, edema of the tissues, cyanosis, and if left unchecked, graft or flap necrosis. Jalukavacharan, an ancient bio-therapeutic technique discussed in the text of Ayurveda, utilizes medicinal leeches to reduce local blood congestion and enhance blood circulation. Leeches' saliva contains the following bioactive moieties – hirudin, eglin, calin, and hyaluronidase – that exhibit anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory actions, rendering leech therapy highly beneficial in enhancing tissue perfusion as well as aiding in the healing process. The efficacy of Jalukavacharan as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of venous congestion after auroplasty and repair of pedicle skin grafts was tested in the present study. A comparative clinical observation of two groups – one that underwent standard surgical management, the other that underwent standard management plus Jalukavacharan – was carried out in order to evaluate the outcomes of reduction in congestion, survival of the flaps, and days of healing. Preliminary observations indicate that Jalukavacharan considerably enhances venous outflow, decreases the volume of edema, increases the survival percentage of the skin flaps, thus proving its significance as an ancillary therapy in the field of modern-day reconstructive surgeries.