EFFECT OF JALAUKAVACHARANA (MEDICINAL LEECH THERAPY) IN DUSHTA VRANA (NON-HEALING FOOT ULCER): A CASE STUDY

Jalaukavacharna or Medicinal Leech Therapy or Hirudotherapy is an-old technique of bloodletting and is being widely studied by many researchers for possible effects on numerous diseases as Dushta Vrana Ropana, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, various diseases according to different Doshas etc. Detailed description of the Jalaukavacharna and Jalauka is given in Sushruta Sutra Sthana Thirteen. Researchers have described variouse properties of leech therapy like anti-inflammatory, analgesics, platelet inhibitory, anticoagulant etc. 65 years old male patient with history of DMII since 15 years came to Gopabandhu Ayurvedic College and Hospital Puri, Odisha with the complaints of chronic non-healing wound over right foot greater toe on posterior aspect having slight serous discharge and smell. After thorough debridement, leech therapy was done for 8 weeks, followed by weekly twice for two weeks and once a week for next 6 weeks. Strict limb elevation was advised along with strict diabetic management. The treatment followed may be adopted in the future for various cases.