Abstract

EFFECT OF LEECH APPLICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BUERGER’S DISEASE:- A CASE STUDY

Dr. Rashmi Bharti* and Dr. Manjusha S. Kalmegh

Abstract

Buerger’s disease is the inflammatory reaction in the arterial wall with involvement of neighboring veins and nerves, terminating in thrombosis of the artery. It is also called as TAO (thromboangitis obliterans) or smoker’s disease, mainly affecting young men between 20 to 40 years of age. In early stage it is unilateral but later involves both the limbs. So far as etiology is concerned this disease has a striking association with cigarette smoking, recurrent minor feet injuries, poor hygiene and altered autonomic functions. Allopathic management includes conservative treatment with use of vasodilators, pentoxyfylline and low dose of aspirin whereas surgical management includes lumbar symphathectomy, omentoplasty and if gangrenous stage is there, then amputation is only choice. The above stated treatment is costly and associated with complications. In Ayurveda the disease is not mentioned but it’s features can be correlated with strotas dushti lakshana like sanga and siranam granthi, also there is vitiation of rakta so raktavaha strotasa dushti also involved hence based on these two references leech application was planned. Case study was carried out on xyz patient considering all three parameters i.e poorva, pradhan, paschat karma before applying leech and scheduled leech therapy performed. in a total 6 sittings of leech therapy result was found effective with less complications.

Keywords: TAO, Raktawaha Strotas, Leech, gangrene.