therapy, maggots, healthcare

1. NUR ASHIKIN BINTI CHE ALIAS
12172212104

2.  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.

4.  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.

6. Only larvae of specific families of flies are used
for therapy:
 Lucilia sericata (common green bottle fly)
 Phormia regina (black blow fly)

7.  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.

9.  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.

11.  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.