CASE STUDY OF LEECH APPLICATION IN DIABETIC FOOT ULCER

In diabetes, slight injury to the glucose laden tissue may cause chronic infection and ulcer formation. About 15% of all diabetic patients develops foot ulcer in their life time. The etiological factors include increased sugar level, diabetic micro angiopathy and peripheral neuropathy.Mainstay of treatment includes antibiotics, debridement, and local wound care and footwear improvisation. In spite of all advances in health sciences, statistics reveals that about 3% patients yet have to undergo lower limb amputation.In Sushrut samhita, we get the most scientific description of wound and its management. Similarly, Sushrut has given the utmost importance to Bloodletting therapy and considered Leech as the most unique and effective method of bloodletting even in infected wounds and abscesses.Aforesaid description led us to try Leech therapy in Diabetic foot ulcer. Patient with Diabetic foot ulcer was advised to continue anti diabetic medicine along with weekly application of Leech around the ulcer which was followed by dressing with Nimb-Haridra oil.This Leech therapy proved very effective and the ulcer healed completely within 30 days.However, further evaluation is required to be done by taking a large sample size to prove its significance in treating Diabetic foot ulcer and avoiding lower limb amputation.