Leech therapy (hirudotherapy) factsheet
Introduction
Medical grade leeches are sometimes used in surgery that involves:
- reattaching a body part like a finger
- grafting soft tissues, like muscles.
This is called hirudotherapy.
Sometimes, the veins in a reattached body part are damaged and don’t work properly after surgery. Blood can flow in, but not out. The old blood stays trapped in the body part with no oxygen or nutrients needed for healing. This is called venous congestion.
Venous congestion causes swelling and a purple colour of the reattached body part. If this is not treated, the body part or tissue can die.
Leech saliva contains substances that stop blood from clotting and help improve blood flow, called anti-coagulants. This makes them excellent for treating venous congestion.
The leeches used for this treatment are not the same as the ones found in nature. They are a special type called Hirudo Medicinalis and are grown specifically for medical use.
Preparing for the treatment
The treatment team will give you information about how to prepare your child for the treatment.
During the treatment
Generally, the steps for hirudotherapy are:
- a medical grade leech is placed on the body part with venous congestion
- the leech makes a small bite and releases saliva to stop blood from clotting
- it feeds for about 30–40 minutes, then drops off by itself
- the bite continues to bleed slowly, which helps drain the old blood.
This allows new blood to flow to the area and support healing.
Sometimes leeches don’t attach easily. If this happens, the medical team will help encourage the leech to attach.
After the treatment
Your child’s treatment team will explain how to care for your child after treatment.
The leech cannot be used again, as it has fed on human blood. It will be gently put to sleep after treatment.
Management
Risks
Possible risks of hirudotherapy include:
- infection caused by bacteria in the leech’s digestive system, treated with antibiotics
- allergic reaction to leech saliva
- low blood levels, which can be treated with a blood transfusion.
Sometimes, the reattached part may still not survive, even with treatment.
Common concerns
Some children find leeches unpleasant to look at. A cup or cover can be placed over the leech so your child does not see it.
Leech therapy usually doesn’t hurt, as the reattached body part often has no feeling, and leech saliva contains substances that numb the area.
If your child feels pain during or after treatment, tell a nurse or doctor straight away.
