Maggot Therapy for Wound Care in Austere Environments

J Spec Oper Med. 2017 Summer;17(2):154-162. doi: 10.55460/DLAA-2TUT.

Abstract

The past 25 years have seen an increase in use of maggot therapy for wound care. Maggot therapy is very effective in wound debridement; it is simple to apply and requires very little in the way of resources, costs, or skilled personnel. These characteristics make it well suited for use in austere environments. The use of medical-grade maggots makes maggot therapy nearly risk free, but medical grade maggots may not always be available, especially in the wilderness or in resource-limited communities. By understanding myiasis and fly biology, it should be possible even for the nonentomologist to obtain maggots from the wild and apply them therapeutically, with minimal risks.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Debridement / history
  • Debridement / methods*
  • Health Resources
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Larva*
  • Military Medicine
  • Mobile Health Units
  • Wounds and Injuries / history
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy*