Review of Research
Review of Research The Effects Maggots Have on Wounds
Stacie Brown
ENGL 321
November 19, 2012
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to review the literature in an attempt to determine the efficacy of maggot debridement therapy (MDT) of skin ulcers (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis, osteomyelitis), with specific focus on assessing the healing time and amputation rate. Maggot therapy utilizes freshly emerged, sterile larvae of the common green bottle fly, Phaenicia (Lucilia) sericata, which secrete digestive enzymes that selectively dissolve necrotic tissue, disinfect the wound, and thus stimulate wound healing.
Introduction
Maggots or green bottle blowflies, Phaenicia (Lucilia) sericata, emit digestive enzymes that dissolve necrotic tissue from wounds and ingest bacteria which both promote wound healing (Sherman, 1988). These two beneficial effects of maggots on wounds are why maggot debridement therapy can help heal wounds, and potentially save limbs from amputation and in some cases, death.
In medicine, there is a variety of methods to consider when treating patients. Patients with chronic wounds are no exception. Antibiotics and surgery are the two most common methods of chronic wound care. In some cases, neither of these treatments is the most effective choice. MDT is one of the oldest methods of wound healing, yet is relatively new or completely unused by many physicians. Several physicians may not fully understand the healing effects of maggots and their potential as a wound healer.
This research studies MDT through clinical trials that strongly suggest MDT as an effective and successful method of wound healing. By looking at studies that involved the use of MDT on the treatment of wounds, an additional option for treating chronic, nonhealing wounds was presented.
According to De la Torre, (2006) treating nonhealing chronic wounds are a major challenge for health care professionals and affect the quality of life for millions of
Stacie Brown
ENGL 321
November 19, 2012
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to review the literature in an attempt to determine the efficacy of maggot debridement therapy (MDT) of skin ulcers (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis, osteomyelitis), with specific focus on assessing the healing time and amputation rate. Maggot therapy utilizes freshly emerged, sterile larvae of the common green bottle fly, Phaenicia (Lucilia) sericata, which secrete digestive enzymes that selectively dissolve necrotic tissue, disinfect the wound, and thus stimulate wound healing.
Introduction
Maggots or green bottle blowflies, Phaenicia (Lucilia) sericata, emit digestive enzymes that dissolve necrotic tissue from wounds and ingest bacteria which both promote wound healing (Sherman, 1988). These two beneficial effects of maggots on wounds are why maggot debridement therapy can help heal wounds, and potentially save limbs from amputation and in some cases, death.
In medicine, there is a variety of methods to consider when treating patients. Patients with chronic wounds are no exception. Antibiotics and surgery are the two most common methods of chronic wound care. In some cases, neither of these treatments is the most effective choice. MDT is one of the oldest methods of wound healing, yet is relatively new or completely unused by many physicians. Several physicians may not fully understand the healing effects of maggots and their potential as a wound healer.
This research studies MDT through clinical trials that strongly suggest MDT as an effective and successful method of wound healing. By looking at studies that involved the use of MDT on the treatment of wounds, an additional option for treating chronic, nonhealing wounds was presented.
According to De la Torre, (2006) treating nonhealing chronic wounds are a major challenge for health care professionals and affect the quality of life for millions of
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