1Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany, 2Center for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Medicine, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany, 3Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Pain Management, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden...

Leech therapy gained worldwide acceptance because of its effect in graft transplant. However its efficacy is not restricted to grafts only but extends beyond dermatological implications into a holistic approach. Its fame is due to its bioactive enzymes packed saliva. But its secret weapon is in its ability to manipulate the haemodynamics via blood sucking. Thus evacuating the body of Morbid hum...

Bloodletting is an ancient procedure that was utilized for curing the ills of man. This article traces the use of leeches for bloodletting therapy from ancient Greek times to the Chapin Harris era in the 1840s to modern day usage by plastic surgeons. The leech is described as both a parasite and a therapeutic agent. The techniques used by both medicine and dentistry are historically documented.

Reconstructive microsurgery is performed to reattach, transfer, or transplant body tissues. Venous congestion is a complication that threatens the viability of the affected tissue and is often treated with medicinal leeches. Leech therapy has two phases: active bloodletting and passive bleeding from the leech wound after detachment, which can last for several hours. Unfortunately, the small blo...

The use of leeches as a highly efficient natural medicine treatment has experienced a resurgence in human therapy, particularly in German speaking countries and the US. The number of leech treatments in Germany has amounted to about 100.000 per year. In addition to the return of diverse applications of medicinal leeches for human treatment, the leech (Hirudo medicinalis/verbana/orientalis) has ...

Sir, We read the comments “Leech therapy and Infection control: No clear window”[1] on the article “Pigment reduction in Nevus of Ota following Leech Therapy: A case report” published recently in the JAIM with great interest.[2] It is true that the present practice of Ayurveda does not have a validated or well–studied protocol for preventing infections and associated adverse events of applicati...

A written informed consent should be obtained from the patient before hirudotherapy is initiated. The patients should be treated each day of leech therapy with anti-Aeromonas antibiotics. Leeches should be applied on the darker spots of the reattached body parts or flaps. Usually 1-10 leeches are used for each treatment, while at the beginning, the patient might need two or more treatments per ...