The use of medicinal leeches in microsurgery

This historical review discussed the use of medicinal leeches over thousands of years for a variety of ailments and their contemporary role in microsurgery. The abstract notes that over the past decade, leeches have become valuable for salvaging surgically uncorrectable venous insufficiency encountered after microsurgical free flap and replantation procedures. The review covers leech anatomy and physiology, indications and technique for application, and potential complications of leeching. This article is directly relevant to the American Society of Hirudotherapy as it outlines clinical indications and practical methodology for therapeutic leeching in reconstructive surgery, providing a foundational overview for medical professionals.