[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. ( NCI )]
UMLS (NCI) C0262711 - Therapeutic or Preventive Procedure