MAGGOTS THERAPYNUR ASHIKIN BINTI CHE ALIAS

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is the controlled, therapeutic use of live blow fly larvae ("maggots") to treat skin and soft tissue wounds.

It use to remove dead or decay tissues that may have been infected or severely damaged.

Is to promote faster wound healing and to prevent the spread of infection through blood.

The larvae do this effectively by munching on the dead tissues, leaving healthy tissues to heal and granulate, that is form new tissues that fill up the wound.

MAGGOTS THERAPY

HISTORY OF MAGGOTS THERAPY

Although scientific studies about the use of maggots in wounds only commenced after World War I, their benefits were observed centuries ago by different cultures like the Mayan Indians and Australian aboriginals.

For example, the Indians would apply dressings made of beef blood that had been exposed to the sun and later covered with maggots.

HOW MAGGOTS CAN HEAL THE WOUND???

Only larvae of specific families of flies are used for therapy:

Lucilia sericata (common green bottle fly)

Phormia regina (black blow fly)

A hydrocolloid dressing with a hole similar to the size and shape of the wound is placed over it.

Serves as a base for the outer dressing. Next, larvae measuring one to three millimeters long

are placed over the wound, approximately ten maggots per square centimeter of wound area.

Covered with a nylon net and an absorbent pad for the exudates. The larvae are allowed to munch on the dead wound tissues for three days while only the absorbent pad may be repeatedly changed.

The dressing may be removed and wound cleaned with sterile saline solution after the third day. A fresh batch of maggots may be applied if necessary. These may be done with or without the use of conventional antibiotics.

ADVANTAGES OF MAGGOTS THERAPY

It is effective – necrotic (dead tissues) are successfully removed by the scratching and poking action of the “mouth hooks” (not teeth) of the maggots.

It is safe – the larvae are prepared in a sterile manner in pharmaceutical laboratories and are sold as medical grade maggots.

It is easy to apply – there is no need for a surgeon to apply the maggots and the dressings so that these can be done at home by a therapist and still be as effective as surgical debridement.

It is affordable – less expensive than surgical debridement or completing a cycle or more of antibiotics and wound dressings.

Faster wound healing – with the removal of dead tissue, infection is prevented and the wound is allowed to produce new tissues with improved circulation.

DISADVANTAGES OF MAGGOTS THERAPY

Fear of pain – pain during treatment may be felt if the patient has been experiencing pain prior to it. However, this may be given appropriate remedy with suitable pain medications. The pain may be due to the crawling, scratching and poking of the maggots. This sensation may not be felt by other individuals who did not experience pain before treatment.

Maggots are perishable – the larvae have to be used within 24 hours of delivery.

THE EXAMPLES OF TREATMENT

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