Complications of leech therapy
Case report published in Avicenna journal of phytomedicine (2020)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The principle of the use of leeches is associated with traditional medicine of many countries and its application has different philosophies for use in different areas of the body. Leeches, with all the benefits, can have dangers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of complications of leech therapy was done based on English articles indexed in the databases up to July 1, 2018. A strategic search has done independently by members of the research team and then all of the articles were +categorized by subject. RESULTS: Related articles were mostly case-reports. Complications were divided into five categories including infection, allergy, prolonged bleeding, migration, and others. Infection is the most-reported complication related to leech therapy and Aeromonas spp. has the most participation in infections. CONCLUSION: Leech therapy can be a therapeutic complementary method if the possible complications are managed properly.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
The principle of the use of leeches is associated with traditional medicine of many countries and its application has different philosophies for use in different areas of the body.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This review surveyed English-language literature on complications of leech therapy through July 2018, categorizing reported complications into five groups: infection, allergy, prolonged bleeding, migration, and others. Infection was the most-reported complication, with Aeromonas species most commonly implicated. This topic is directly relevant to hirudotherapy, as awareness of potential adverse events is essential for practitioners applying medicinal leeches. The authors conclude that leech therapy can serve as a complementary therapeutic method when complications are managed properly. The abstract notes that the related articles were mostly case reports, so the review provides a qualitative overview of complication categories rather than original clinical or experimental data.
Citation
Complications of leech therapy.
Pourrahimi M, Abdi M, Ghods R · Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 2020
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