title: A case study using larval therapy in the community setting.
abstract: This article discusses the use of larval therapy by district nurses in wound bed preparation in the community. A case study is presented of a patient with a persistently necrotic and painful anterior tibial wound post-fasciotomy. The case study offers an insight into the practicalities involved in the use of larvae as effective and safe debriders of tissue for wound bed preparation. It is concluded that larval therapy is an underused and misunderstood resource when considering effective wound care and this treatment should be actively considered as an alternative therapy in wound care. There is a need for both qualitative and quantitative research in this field, enabling a more thorough discussion to be entered into by all practitioners with an interest in this subject.
authors.affiliation: Clydebank Health Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: K Margaret
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: MacDougall
authors.forename: Fiona R T
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Rodgers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing