The use of maggots and leeches to treat infections and wounds was highlighted at a hospital's open day.
The creatures are used by medics at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead on patients who are having plastic surgery.
A hospital spokeswoman said: "The maggots are used to eat away at infected and dead tissue and they clean the wound very thoroughly.
"It also means a patient doesn't have to have a general anaesthetic and go through an operation to clean the wound instead.
"Leeches are used on places that are filled with blood. They are put in and can suck the blood out quickly and clear the area out."
More than 100 hospital staff were involved in the open day.
It was held to show public and health professionals the work being done at the hospital, which is a specialist centre for burns and plastic surgery.
The open day highlighted the support provided through reconstructive surgery following breast cancer, the work of the minor injuries and rehabilitation units at the hospital and the work done by the head and neck cancer team.
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