Maggots in surgery

Maggots are the larvae of flies. Infestation of humans by maggots is called myiasis and this can be harmful and occasionally fatal. Maggots should, therefore, be removed when discovered. However, maggots are also known to promote wound healing and have been used in ancient civilisations for the treatment of wounds. However, contamination of the wound by pathogenic anaerobes has been a major concern of maggot therapy in the past. Sterility of maggots is therefore a prerequisite for the medical use of maggots; this has been achieved recently. Maggot therapy is now a viable option for the management of necrotic ulcers or wounds that have failed to respond to conventional treatment.