title: The use of medicinal leeches in microsurgery.
abstract: Medicinal leeches have been used to treat a variety of ailments for thousands of years. During the past decade the leech has become valuable for salvaging surgically uncorrectable venous insufficiency which is occasionally encountered after microsurgical free flap and replantation procedures. Leech anatomy and physiology are reviewed. Indications and the technique for application of medicinal leeches is discussed, as well as potential complications of leeching.
authors.affiliation: NYU Bellevue Medical Centre, NY 1021.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Valauri
mesh_terms: D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D001815:Bloodletting / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D004423:Ear / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000266:history*; D012092:Replantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps