Abstract Title:

[Maggot therapy in wound management].

Abstract Source:

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2009 Sep 24;129(18):1864-7. PMID: 19844278

Abstract Author(s):

Birgit Margrethe Falch, Louis de Weerd, Arnfinn Sundsfjord

Article Affiliation:

Det medisinske fakultet, Universitetet i Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. [email protected]

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Maggots' ability to prevent infections and promote wound healing has been known since the 19th century. Increasing problems with treatment-resistant wounds and antibiotic-resistant bacteria has aroused interest in maggot therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature on maggot therapy - identified through a non-systematic search of Pubmed - was reviewed. RESULTS: Maggot therapy is the medical use of disinfected fly larvae (usually the larvae of Lucilia sericata) in treatment of wounds resistant to conventional treatment. The maggots work through three mechanisms of action; they debride wounds by dissolving necrotic tissue, clean wounds by killing bacteria and promote wound healing. The larvae have a broad antibacterial action against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA. Maggot therapy is used to debride a number of complicated skin and soft tissue wounds - e.g.. pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, neurovascular ulcers, traumatic wounds and burns - but also as a treatment for osteomyelitis. Large controlled clinical trials have not been performed. Maggot therapy has not been associated with serious side effects. INTERPRETATION: Maggot therapy seems to be an effective and environmentally friendly treatment of complicated necrotic wounds that are resistant to conventional treatment. Maggot therapy should also be considered in earlier stages of treatment.

Print Options


This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.

© Copyright 2008-2024 GreenMedInfo.com, Journal Articles copyright of original owners, MeSH copyright NLM.