title: Eating out of the hand, maggots--friend or foe?
abstract: The presence of maggots (fly larvae) in an open wound is a repelling sight to many and documented cases of myiasis in the literature are scant due to the rarity of such infestation in live patients. A unique case of such a presentation is elaborated in a patient who sustained a crush injury to the hand. This case serves to highlight the unique challenges faced in treating such injuries and to raise the profile of maggots and their untapped potential use in biodebridement and management of open wounds in modern day wound care practices.
authors.affiliation: Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Department, The Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, Garran ACT 2605, Australia.
authors.forename: Queenie E
authors.initials: QE
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Muhammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Milovic
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D004175:Diptera; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D009198:Myiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy*