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Intracellular Recording, Sensory Field Mapping, and Culturing Identified Neurons in the Leech, Hirudo medicinalis
Published on: November 4, 2013
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Complications of leech therapy.
Matineh Pourrahimi1, Mojtaba Abdi2, Roshanak Ghods3,4
1Student Research Committee, Faculty of Allied Medicine Branch, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine
|June 12, 2020
Summary
Leech therapy, a traditional medicine practice, carries risks like infection and prolonged bleeding. Proper management of these complications is crucial for its safe use as a complementary therapy.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Traditional Medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Leech therapy is an ancient practice used in traditional medicine across various cultures.
- Its application varies based on different philosophies and body areas.
- Despite benefits, leech therapy poses potential dangers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize complications associated with leech therapy.
- To identify the most frequent adverse events and their causes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- English articles indexed in databases up to July 1, 2018, were systematically searched.
- Articles were independently categorized by the research team.
Main Results:
- Most reviewed articles were case reports detailing complications.
- Complications were classified into five categories: infection, allergy, prolonged bleeding, migration, and others.
- Infection, particularly by *Aeromonas spp.*, was the most frequently reported complication.
Conclusions:
- Leech therapy can serve as a valuable complementary therapeutic method.
- Effective management of potential complications is essential for patient safety.
- Further research may focus on mitigating risks associated with leech therapy.
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