Hirudo medicinalis: ancient origins of, and trends in the use of medicinal leeches throughout history
Historical review published in Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg (2004)
Abstract
Blood letting and the therapeutic use of Hirudo medicinalis date back to ancient Egypt and the beginning of civilisation. Their popularity has varied over the years, reaching such a peak in Europe between 1825 and 1850 that supplies were exhausted. Towards the end of the century they fell out of favour and, during this period, the leech, once used by the physicians of emperors and influential academic surgeons, became associated with lay therapists and quackery. Leeches have enjoyed a renaissance in reconstructive microsurgery during the last 15 years, having been used by maxillofacial [Br. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg 41 (2003) 44] and other reconstructive surgeons to aid salvage of compromised microvascular free tissue transfers [Laryngoscope 108 (1998) 1129; Br. J. Plast. Surg. 34 (1984) 358], replanted digits [Int. J. Microsurg. 3 (1981) 265], ears [Ann. Plast. Surg. 43 (1999) 427], lips [Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 102 (1998) 358; J. Reconstr. Microsurg. 9 (1993) 327] and nasal tips [Br. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 36 (1998) 462]. Peer-reviewed evidence suggests that the survival of compromised, venous-congested tissues is improved by early application of a leech [J. Reconstr. Microsurg. 12 (1996) 165; Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 114 (1988) 1395; Br. J. Plast. Surg. 45 (1992) 235]. Leeches have also recently been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including periorbital haematomas [Br. J. Ophthalmol. 75 (1991) 755], severe macroglossia [Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 125 (2001) 649; J. Laryngol. Otol. 109 (1995) 442] and purpura fulminans [Ann. Plast. Surg. 35 (1995) 300]. The first medicinal leech farm, Biopharm, was set up in Swansea in 1981 by Dr Roy Sawyer, and now supplies leeches to hospitals all over the world. In this paper, we summarise the history of treatment with Hirudo medicinalis from its origin to the present day, and take a brief look at the possible future of the annelid.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Zusammenfassung
Traces the use of Hirudo medicinalis from ancient Egypt through the 1825–1850 European leech-craze (when natural supplies were exhausted) to modern reconstructive microsurgery, including the 1981 founding of Biopharm leech farm in Swansea.
Warum dies für die Hirudotherapie relevant ist
Dieser historische Artikel zeichnet die Verwendung von Hirudo medicinalis vom alten Ägypten über die europäische Blütezeit (1825–1850), deren Niedergang und Verbindung mit Laientherapie bis hin zur modernen Renaissance in der rekonstruktiven Mikrochirurgie zur Rettung gefährdeter Lappenplastiken, replantierter Finger, Ohren, Lippen und Nasenspitzen nach. Die Autoren verweisen auf peer-reviewte Evidenz, dass die frühzeitige Blutegelanwendung das Überleben venös gestauter Gewebe verbessert, und erwähnen die Gründung der ersten medizinischen Blutegelfarm (Biopharm, Swansea, 1981). Der Artikel ist unmittelbar relevant für den ASH-Bereich und liefert historischen Kontext für die Entwicklung der Hirudotherapie und deren aktuelle rekonstruktive Anwendungen. Die Einschränkung besteht darin, dass es sich um eine historische Erzählung ohne Originaldaten handelt und die zitierte klinische Evidenz zwar angeführt, im Abstract jedoch nicht systematisch bewertet wird.
Zitation
Historical Article: Hirudo medicinalis: ancient origins of, and trends in the use of medicinal leeches throughout history.
Whitaker IS et al. · The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery, 2004
Verwandter klinischer Kontext
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