Fly larvae for wound management: A maggot makeover

Abstract

Maggots certainly have an image problem, but this humble insect—the immature stage of a housefly or blowfly—has much to offer the field of medicine in the 21st century. Maggots of certain fly species feed on necrotic flesh, and through this debriding activity can assist the healing of chronic soft-tissue wounds (such as pressure and venous stasis ulcers, diabetic foot infections, and postoperative wounds) that are resistant to surgical or antibiotic intervention. This article describes Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT), an old remedy that has been revised and is now proven to be valuable for treating wounds unresponsive to conventional wound management.