How is larval therapy used for wound healing?
Maggot therapy (also known as larval therapy) is a type of biotherapy involving the introduction of live, disinfected maggots (fly larvae) into non-healing skin and soft-tissue wounds of a human or other animal for the purpose of cleaning out the necrotic (dead) tissue within a wound, (debridement) and disinfection.
How do you apply larvae therapy?
Maggots that are applied directly onto the wound (‘Free range’) are poured onto your wound. A net dressing is secured over them and a piece of gauze moistened with sodium chloride (saline) and an absorbent dressing pad are applied over this. A different dressing is also applied to the surrounding skin to protect it.
Do larvae clean wounds?
The processes by which larvae clean wounds are very complex, but in simple terms they physically feed on dead tissue and release special chemicals into the wound that breakdown dead tissue into a liquid form that the maggot can easily remove and digest.
When should larval therapy be used?
Clinical indications for larval treatment include infected or necrotic wounds of all types. Candidates for the treatment generally have non‐acute external wounds for which one or more courses of alternative treatments have failed.
Why do doctors put maggots to clean wounds?
Maggots work because they eat dead tissue (debridement) within the wound, which can promote infection. This treatment seems to help reduce the risk of infection after surgery because the larvae are thought to secrete substances that fight infection.
How do you clean a maggot infested wound?
Using Hydrogen Peroxide On pouring hydrogen peroxide in the wounds, it immediately froths and pushes out maggots or any kind of infestation from the injury. Post which, you can continue the dressing with the application of tincture iodine or povidone solutions and close the wound.
What is one negative side effect of maggot debridement therapy?
The most common side effect to maggot therapy is pain at the application site. Patients may actually feel a “nipping” or “picking” sensation that can be painful. This discomfort may be severe enough to require oral analgesics or, in some cases, the patient may request early termination of the treatment.
What stage is a wound with Slough?
Slough is present only in stage 3 pressure injuries and higher. Slough may be present in other types of wounds such as vascular, diabetic, among others. You are most likely not seeing a biofilm.
How do you clean maggots out of a wound?
What is the size of the larvae in a wound?
When applied to the wound they are only about 2-3 mm long, but once in place they produce powerful proteolytic enzymes that degrade and liquify necrotic tissue which they ingest as a source of nutrient. Under favourable conditions, larvae rapidly increase in size, reaching 8-10 mm when fully grown.
How long should I leave the larva on the wound?
Larvae should be left on the wound for a maximum of 3 days. At this time they should be removed and the wound reassessed. In the initial stages of treatment there may be a noticeable increase in wound exudate, causing the outer dressing to become discoloured.
Can you put larvae on a wound that is bleeding?
Larvae should not be applied to wounds that have a tendency to bleed easily, or be introduced into wounds that communicate with the body cavity or any internal organ. They should also not be applied close to any large blood vessels. It is recommended that a dressing system is used that retains the larvae within the area of the wound.
What is the best way to store The larvae?
If they are not to be applied immediately, the transit container should be stored in a cool dark place until required for use, preferably at a temperature of 8 – 10 degrees. If larvae are to be stored in this way, the transit container should be placed in the polythene bag provided.