Maggot Therapy: Select Clinical Evidence
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Vs. Surgical Debridement: 18x Faster Cleaning
Studies on Maggot Therapy for wound debridement have also shown that compared to the conventional method of using a scalpel or scissors, Maggot Therapy can clean wounds up to 18 times faster [1].
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Vs. Negative Wound Pressure Therapy: 5x Higher Healing Rate
Only 18.2% of patients undergoing NWPT had their wounds closed, whereas 92.3% of patients undergoing Maggot Therapy had their wounds closed, according to a randomised clinical trial [2]. NWPT is also known as Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC).
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Vs. Hydrogels : 5x Faster Debridement
Wounds treated with Maggot Therapy took only 14 days to debride, whereas wounds treated with hydrogels took 72 days, as observed by a randomised controlled clinical trial [3].
Maggot Therapy (also known as Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) or Larval Therapy), is a form of biotherapy that involves the use of live maggots to clean necrotic and infected tissue from wounds. The use of maggots in medicine dates back to ancient times, but it was not until the 20th century that Maggot Therapy gained recognition as a therapeutic option for wound care.
Maggot Therapy works by the maggots' ability to consume dead tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact. The maggots excrete digestive enzymes that break down the necrotic tissue and create an alkaline environment that inhibits bacterial growth. In addition, the maggots have antimicrobial properties that further promote wound healing.
What is Maggot Therapy?
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The use of Maggot Therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of wound types, including chronic wounds, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and surgical wounds. It is especially useful in cases where conventional wound care methods have failed.
Maggot Therapy is a safe and cost-effective alternative to surgical debridement and other forms of wound care. It is also well-tolerated by patients, who report minimal discomfort during treatment. The maggots used in Maggot Therapy are carefully bred in sterile conditions and are certified for medical use.
Maggot Therapy helps to:
Remove dead tissue without the need for surgery
Disrupt bacteria from forming into biofilms (which delay healing)
Kill bacteria that cause infections
Stop wound breakdown and promote growth
Increase blood supply to the wound
Instantaneously reduce wound odour