(For more of the Shanks' story, see Bleed 'Em and Weep.) Of course, leeches were used for bloodletting in ancient times, beginning in Egypt, and leech therapy reached its zenith in the early 19th century. Shank retains the use of an index finger that would otherwise have been amputated-has made them advocates of this reemerging therapy. His wife Jackie chimed in on an extension: "We love natural therapies, and you can't get more natural than that."Īlthough the Shanks, who live in Salida, Colorado, admitted to having been "a little squeamish" at first, the end result-Mr. His voice retained a sense of amazement three years after surgery. "If it hadn't been for leech therapy, I would have lost part of my finger," said Lynn Shank, 67, recently by phone. Yet nurses may be expected to participate in this therapy in a variety of clinical settings and can use these guidelines for the safe and effective use of the leech in treatment.
Most nurses have had no formal training in administering the therapy or in maintaining Hirudo medicinalis, the species of freshwater worm used therapeutically.
Leech therapy is experiencing a resurgence in health care today, primarily in plastic and reconstructive surgery as a treatment for venous congestion, which can threaten surgical outcomes.
0 kommentar(er)
