Medicinal leech therapy in venous congestion and various ulcer forms: Perspectives of Western, Persian and Indian medicine

Koeppen, D; Aurich, Michael; Pasalar, Mehdi; Rampp, Thomas

doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2019.08.003

Cited by 23 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The therapy appears to work through by venous decongestion, thrombolysis, blood and lymph flow enhancement and the suppression of inflammation. 9 In Ayurveda, leech therapy is one of the bloodletting methods and is mentioned as one of the 60 treatment modalities explained for wound management. 10…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of medicinal leech therapy on infected postauricular ulcer: a case report

Ramakrishnan

Bhandari

Gopikrishna

et al. 2020

Int J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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<p class="abstract">Trauma induced auricular partial defect very common. Due to the aesthetic value, proper reconstruction has to be done preserving the symmetry of bilateral auricles. The reconstruction of auricle is difficult due to the intricate anatomy of the auricle, limited and inconsistent vascularization and the high ratio of cartilage to skin. Historically, Susruta was the first author to describe about auricular repair. In Ayurveda, medicinal leech therapy is praised for it’s usefulness for the healing of ulcers. In this case report, a male of 30 years with a trauma induced postauricular infected ulcer was successfully treated with the application of medicinal leeches for multiple sittings.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of medicinal leech therapy on infected postauricular ulcer: a case report

Ramakrishnan

Bhandari

Gopikrishna

et al. 2020

Int J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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“…21 Its therapeutic effects include antiinflammatory, analgesic, and bacteriostatic actions, anti-coagulant, and blood and lymph flow stimulation. 22 The most common bioactive substance is hirudin, which prevents the process of blood clotting. 22 Contrary to popular traditional belief, leeches commonly absorb about 5 ml of blood; however, if more leeches are applied to the affected site, their impact is enhanced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…22 The most common bioactive substance is hirudin, which prevents the process of blood clotting. 22 Contrary to popular traditional belief, leeches commonly absorb about 5 ml of blood; however, if more leeches are applied to the affected site, their impact is enhanced. The mode of action of MLT depends on the injection of other biologically active substances with the saliva into the host tissue and blood, in which approximately 5 to 15 ml of blood is removed by the suction action of leech therapy, 12 followed by passive oozing of approximately 50 to 150 ml of blood up to 10 to 48 hours after removal of leeches.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Treating Third- and Fourth-Degree Hemorrhoids

Mobeen

Ahmad

Quamri

et al. 2021

Journal of Coloproctology

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Objectives Hemorrhoids are characterized by bleeding, mucous discharge, itching, pain, and prolapse. This condition is known as bawaseer in Unani medicine, and Hirudinaria granulosa has been used for its treatment in Irsal-e Alaq, or medicinal leech therapy (MLT), for centuries. Hirudinaria granulosa with antithrombotic and antiinflammatory action is used in the treatment of chronic venous disease and hemorrhoids. The present study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of MLT in third and fourth-degree hemorrhoids. Methods A single-centre prospective, clinical trial with a pre and postanalysis design was conducted at the hospital of the National Institute of Unani Medicine. Twenty male and female patients, with a mean age of 38 years, presenting moderate symptoms assessed with the colorectal evaluation of clinical therapeutics scale (CORECTS) questionnaire were included in the study. Hirudinaria granulosa were applied around the pile mass for 15 minutes weekly, for 4 weeks. The efficacy of the treatment was measured by an objective and subjective assessment using the CORECTS. Results When analyzed by the clinician, MLT reduced the symptoms' severity score in the following domains: pain (55% improvement; p < 0.001); anorectal itching (30% improvement; p < 0.10); and bleeding (10% improvement; p < 0.7963). Significant improvement (p < 0.001) was reported in the CORECTS score in relation to pain (44.09% improvement; p < 0.001), itching (38.55% improvement; p < 0.001), swelling (44% improvement; p < 0.001), bleeding (17.28% improvement; p < 0.007), discomfort (34.01% improvement; p < 0.001), and wellbeing (32.35 %improvement; p < 0.001), giving an average overall opinion on the therapy of 4/10. Conclusion The results of the study albeit smaller in sample size show that MLT is an effective and safe therapeutic option in reducing the symptoms of 3rd and 4th degree haemorrhoids.

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“…Application of Kshara , another procedure that is gaining popularity in the management of haemorrhoids is also developed by Shalya Tantra specialists who have access to patients [ 14 ]. Application of leeches (hirudotherapy), another popular intervention being practised by many surgeons also can be traced back to Sushruta Samhita [ 15 ]. Hence, there cannot be a bigger mistake than banning Vaidyas from seeing patients and asking them to stop what they have been doing.…”

Section: Should All Ayurveda Shalya Tantra (Surgery)/shalakya Tantra mentioning

confidence: 99%

Surgical practice and Ayurveda: A realistic analysis of the current debate

Patwardhan

Kumar

2021

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine

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The recent notification issued by the Central Council of Indian Medicine making it compulsory for the postgraduate students of two streams of Ayurveda (Shalya Tantra and Shalakya Tantra) to be trained in different kinds of modern surgical procedures as a part of their curricula has led to a nation-wide debate. While practitioners from biomedical sciences are voicing their concerns against the decision, Ayurveda professionals are seen defending the same. In this article we try to look at this issue from a dispassionate and realistic point of view. We recount the historical milestones that paved way for the incorporation of the modern surgical practices in to Ayurveda curricula. Currently though there are many skilful Ayurveda surgeons who practice surgery in India, the standard of education in many Ayurveda colleges is very poor because of a low patient turn-out which is a matter of serious concern. We argue that, however, by citing these varying standards in education, imposing deliberate restrictions on Shalya-Shalakya students and not giving them access to treat patients too is unwarranted. Such a move can affect the research potential in these fields. We cite the history of the evolution of Kshara-Sutra therapy to justify our argument. Further, we delve into the issue of prospective and retrospective applicability of the said notification and suggest a few options that the Ministry of AYUSH may consider to resolve this issue. We conclude by saying that well-trained Ayurveda surgeons must be allowed to practice surgery, but at the same time, a blanket license to all Shalya-Shalakya postgraduate degree holders to practice surgery without ensuring their actual clinical training would be unreasonable.

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Medicinal leech therapy in venous congestion and various ulcer forms: Perspectives of Western, Persian and Indian medicine

Cited by 23 publications

References 35 publications

Effectiveness of medicinal leech therapy on infected postauricular ulcer: a case report

Effectiveness of medicinal leech therapy on infected postauricular ulcer: a case report

Clinical Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Treating Third- and Fourth-Degree Hemorrhoids

Surgical practice and Ayurveda: A realistic analysis of the current debate

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