maggot treatment

maggot treatment

A method of treating septic wounds. In the 1930s, scientific studies indicated that neglected and infected compound fractures were aided in healing when blackbottle fly, bluebottle fly, and blowfly maggots accidentally infested the wounds. The maggots removed necrotic tissue and left healthy granulating tissue. Modern therapy, including antibiotics, has made this method of treating wounds and osteomyelitis obsolete. Nevertheless, it is possible to culture sterile blowfly maggots for this use. In severe skin infections when all other forms of therapy have failed, this method has been used.