How Are Medical Leeches Used in Plastic Surgery?
Leech Therapy Leeches are worm-like organisms approximately two to three inches in length. They have tiny teeth that suction onto an area and suck blood. They are used in medical facilities to increase circulation, improve blood flow and speed healing. They remove pooled, unmoving blood that threatens tissue survival. Technically, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration classifies leeches as medical devices because they cause blood to drain that otherwise would remain stagnant and complicate surgeries. Creating a route to pool blood can be difficult to impossible for surgeons, depending on the injury, type of procedure or incision. Movement of blood causes the rest of the body’s blood to rush to the area and eventually take over, ensuring the tissue’s survival. Leeches are generally used only when other methods are exhausted. Two to three leeches are applied per patient and they fall off after about 40 minutes. They produce a natural blood thinner and anti-coagulant called hirudin that co
