Leprosy surgery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

Surgery is not indicated in the treatment of leprosy, yet it may treat or decrease the impact of some of the complications that may arise from the disease.

Surgery

Although leprosy can not be treated with surgery, some of its complications may be. Leprosy causes skin lesions, cosmetic disfigurement, necrotic ulcers that may become infected, increased risk of fractures, contractures and/or foot drop. All these conditions may be treated, or see its impact minimized with surgical procedures, such as:^[1]

Plastic surgery – for skin lesions and cosmetic disfigurement such as nasal septum collapse

Debridement of lesions or drainage of collections – infection of necrotic ulcers

Orthopedic surgery – fractures

Reconstructive surgery – contractures and foot drop

References

↑ Walker, Stephen L.; Lockwood, Dina N.J. (2007). “Leprosy”. Clinics in Dermatology. 25 (2): 165–172. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2006.05.012. ISSN 0738-081X.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[WalkerLockwood2007-1] Walker, Stephen L.; Lockwood, Dina N.J. (2007). “Leprosy”. Clinics in Dermatology. 25 (2): 165–172. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2006.05.012. ISSN 0738-081X.

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