Hirudotherapy

**Semantic type:** Therapeutic or Preventive Procedure

**Definition:** The use of leeches for medical therapy. From hirudin, the active principle in the salivary secretion of leeches that acts as a potent anticoagulant (bloodthinner). Hirudotherapy is mainly used in trauma and plastic and reconstructive surgery to salvage tissue flaps and skin grafts whose viability is threatened by venous congestion.

**Synonyms:** - Leech Anticoagulant Therapy - Leech Therapy