#Leech mouth free#

Always, if you have any questions about how many leeches to use or where to place them, call us at any time. Sometimes, if we're dealing with a very large flap, we will instruct you to use more than one leech.

Then, when you apply the next leech, you place it in a different spot on the tissue area that needs to be treated. In most instances, you need only apply one or two leeches at a time. It is at that time that you should apply another leech, unless directed by the physicians to do otherwise. You can tell that it's no longer active when the blood stops draining. The effects of the hirudin may last up to a few hours. After the leech is removed, the built up venous blood will continue to drain from the site where the leech was attached, which is therapeutic for the tissue. While attached, the leech actively removes some of the built up blood which eases the pressure within the tissue. When you apply a leech, the hirudin acts locally at the bite site to allow continued bleeding for 2-3 hours after the leech is removed. They produce this to prevent their host from forming a clot so that they can feast on blood more easily. Leeches produce an enzyme in their saliva called hirudin. In rare situations, this is not possible or not indicated, and in these situations leeches may be used to alleviate the venous congestion. Venous congestion in the majority of cases is best managed by returning the patient rapidly to the OR to remove the venous obstruction.

This accumulated blood eventually can destroy the integrity of the tissue and the tissue can die. Blood then accumulates in the tissue as it cannot get out. Venous congestion occurs when the veins that drain blood from a tissue are unable to do their job because of clotted blood within them or from external pressure on the draining vein.

#Leech mouth free#

Return to: Microvascular Surgery Protocols see Free Flap Monitoring and Salvage Medicinal Leech Therapy on Head and Neck Patients