Clinical uses of the medicinal leech: A practical review

• Published in: Journal of postgraduate medicine Vol. 57; no. 1; p. 65
• Main Authors: Porshinsky, B. S, Saha, S, Grossman, M. D, Beery II, P. R, Stawicki, S.P.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Staff Society of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India 01.01.2011; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Antibiotics; Anticoagulants; Bacterial infections; Clinical medicine; Complications; contraindications; Health aspects; Hirudin Therapy; Hirudo medicinalis; hirudotherapy; History; Humans; Hyperemia - therapy; indications; Leeches; Leeching; medicinal leech; Replantation; Skin; Surgical Flaps - blood supply; India
• ISSN: 0022-3859; 0972-2823
• DOI: 10.4103/0022-3859.74297

The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis , is an excellent example of the use of invertebrates in the treatment of human disease. Utilized for various medical indications since the ancient times, the medicinal leech is currently being used in a narrow range of well-defined and scientifically-grounded clinical applications. Hirudotherapy is most commonly used in the setting of venous congestion associated with soft tissue replantations and free flap-based reconstructive surgery. This is a comprehensive review of current clinical applications of hirudotherapy, featuring a comprehensive search of all major medical search engines (i.e. PubMed, Google Scholar, ScientificCommons) and other cross-referenced sources. The authors focus on indications, contraindications, practical application/handling of the leech, and therapy-related complications.