Maggot Therapy: A Handbook of Maggot-Assisted Wound Healing 1st Edition

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An Ancient Treatment - Rediscovered Fly larvae have been used for centuries to successfully treat wounds. However, once penicillin was discovered, and antibiotic therapy became common worldwide, maggot therapy was forgotten. But now that bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to modern antibiotics, maggot therapy is experiencing a resurgence. Maggots Promote Healing Fly larvae can debride and help heal chronic wounds in a form of biosurgery. As strange as it sounds, maggot therapy is often a patient's last chance to prevent amputation of a limb. The results of maggot therapy have been impressive in treating diabetic foot ulcers, slow-healing wounds resulting from circulatory problems, and pressure sores in bed-bound patients: over a majority of these wounds - many of them in existence for years - heal without pain or side effects. This text contains extensive, reader-friendly information on maggot therapy. There is an overview of the pertinent fly species, a history of maggot therapy, and information on maggots' mode of action and application. In addition to detailed descriptions of the clinical problems for which maggots can be used, there are case studies and questions and answers from medical practice. Table of Contents 1 Introduction Nature’s Vast Pharmacy 2 Maggots On Flies and Maggots Development Cycle of the Fly Transmission of Disease by Flies Phaenicia (Lucilia) Sericata (Green Blowfly) Larvae of Phaenicia Sericata 3 Maggots and Wound Healing History of Maggot Therapy Stimulation of Wound Healing Medicinal Uses Production of Sterile Maggots Myiasis 4 Clinical Application of Maggots The Classical Free-Range Maggot Dressing System The Containment-Bag Maggot Dressing System (Biobag) Indications for Maggot Debridement Therapy Adverse Effects and Risks of Maggot Therapy Perspectives Cost Effectiveness 5 Appendix Frequently Asked Questions Suggested Reading Sterile Maggot Suppliers Glossary Index