Leeching bandwidth

[Elidor]

Gee, this doesn't make me evil, does it? :dilemma:

[El Fuego]

1. Ick. Ick. Ick.

[Elidor]

3. The second photo is from an interesting article about surgical leeches

An African leech for use in microsurgery in Africa!
by Prof. Chris Appleton

The "new found" use for H. medicinalis is in plastic and reconstructive surgery! These annelids have become valuable tools for saving transplanted skin flaps or grafts that have become congested with blood, i.e. the blood hasn't drained away because the necessary capillaries have not joined or formed as the case may be. This will cause the death of the flap - and happens in about 10% of procedures. Enter the leech! If hungry leeches are allowed to suck up the excess blood and so relieve the congestion and accompanying swelling - the flap can often be saved. A single leech will remain attached for 30-40 minutes and suck up 10-15ml of blood in that time. Their value lies in the fact that their saliva, which is introduced into the tissue as they bite, contains an anticoagulant, hirudin, which prevents clotting and therefore allows fresh, oxygenated blood into the wound area until capillaries have grown and proper circulation is established. In this way, leeches have helped save what in surgical jargon are called "pedicled skin flaps" on many different parts of the body, e.g. ears, noses, lips, eyebrows, scalp, fingers, hips and legs.

http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2001/september/leech2.htm

A good read, if you have the time.

[El Fuego]

7. They still suck

Ba dum bum.

[bridgit]

2. that's messed up...

:scared:

[Elidor]

4. No, leeches are our friends!

They're good! You don't necessarily want to exchange fluids with them, but they are beneficial for some uses. It's too bad I put salt on so many of them as a kid. I regret it now. :cry:

[bridgit]

5. well, creepy friends maybe...

"For over 2000 years, leeches were needlessly applied for many ailments as an adjunct to blood letting. Their use in Europe peaked between 1830 and 1850, but subsequent shortages led to a decline in their use. Today there is a real clinical application in that they are of great value to plastic surgeons when venous congestion of skin and muscle flaps is a problem."
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/leeches.htm :scared:

[Elidor]

6. I don't think there's enough love for leeches around here!

Something is seriously wrong with that!