[Wound healing by steril fly larvas: basic mechanical, biochemical and microbiological principles].
Recently an old treatment for refractory wounds, the so-called "Maggot-Therapy", once again received attention in medical literature. It seems, that the biggest obstacle for a broad clinical use of fly larvae of the species Lucilia sericata in wound treatment is the lack of knowledge about the biology of these animals and the underlying mechanisms with respect to wound therapy. In this review, the known and possible mechanisms of action of Maggot-Therapy are presented and opportunities for further research are discussed.
Grassberger
Martin
M
Institut für Gerichtliche Medizin, Institut für Anthropologie, Universität Wien, Sensengasse 2, A-1090 Wien. martin.grassberger@univie.ac.at
Frank
Christa
C
D000818:Animals; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D004175:Diptera / Q000502:physiology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D009336:Necrosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*