Journal of reconstructive microsurgery
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The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, has been widely used in the salvage of microvascular free flaps. Numerous publications have detailed the biology, use, benefits, and risks of leech therapy. ⋯ The authors report a simple method of limiting the movement of medicinal leeches from the surgical site, namely, affixing one end of a surgical suture to the leech and tying the free end to a firm object or dressing. This simple method limits the potential range of movement of the leech and reduces the risk of leech migration to unwanted areas.