Advantages of Maggot Debridement Therapy for Chronic Wounds: A Bibliographic Review.

GENERAL PURPOSE: To present an overview of the advantages of maggot debridement therapy as a treatment for chronic wounds through the review of several larval properties.

TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will be able to:1. Summarize the use, process, and precautions for maggot debridement to treat chronic wounds.2. Synthesize the results of the bibliographic review of the use of maggot debridement to treat chronic wounds.

ABSTRACT: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is effective for ulcer debridement, achieving it in less time than other therapies. It offers a benefit to healing. However, it is unclear whether maggots reduce treatment time and there is considerable controversy around the treatment's potential antimicrobial action and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, it can be effective in preventing amputations and reducing the need for systemic antibiotics. This bibliographic review assesses the advantages of MDT as a treatment for chronic wounds through the review of several larval properties. The review was carried out by consulting biomedical databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE (PubMed), and Scopus, and concludes that MDT is an effective debridement and potential technique to facilitate healing. However, more data is needed on the wound type application frequency and the efficacy of treatment.