Wound Myiasis in Severe Venous Stasis Ulcer

Cureus. 2020 Jun 12;12(6):e8585. doi: 10.7759/cureus.8585.

Abstract

Although myiasis infestation of wounds presents with significant psychological discomfort to patients, studies have shown that it can be beneficial in the management of recalcitrant ulcers resistant to standard management. Here we report a patient with persistent ulcers unresponsive to standard management who was lost to follow-up for five months and presented with ''maggots in his wound''. This however proved beneficial to the patient as the ulcer showed healthy granulation tissue on presentation and improved healing on follow-up. Our case presents the beneficial effect of myiasis infestation in the 21st century and helps to highlight a time-tested therapy with further encouragement of the use of biotherapy (sterile maggots) for the management of recalcitrant ulcers.

Keywords: infestation; larval debridement therapy; maggot debridement therapy; maggots; myiasis; venous insufficiency; venous stasis ulcer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports