Maggots for wound treatment: hopes were not fulfilled
Scientists from the British University of York (University of York) found out that fly larvae do not have significant advantages over standard methods of treating trophic ulcers. The work in which doctors first assessed the rate of wound healing using hydrogel and maggots was published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers have refuted data that fly larvae accelerate wound healing and reduce the risk of developing staphylococcal infection.
270 patients with trophic leg ulcers, one part of which was treated with hydrogel and the other with maggots, were under the supervision of doctors for a year. The researchers did not find a significant difference in the time of wound healing in patients from different groups. Also, the advantage of larvae over hydrogel in reducing microbial contamination of the wound and in the fight against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has not been proven. Patients who were treated with maggots were more likely to experience pain during wound healing.
Comparing the cost and effectiveness of treatment, the scientists did not reveal a significant difference when using the two methods. "Fly larvae clean the wound surface of dead tissue faster, but this does not lead to faster wound healing," said the head of the study, Professor Nicky Callum (Nicky Callum).
She added that the choice of treatment method will depend on further tactics. Maggots should be used if a quick cleaning of the wound from dead tissues is necessary, for example, to prepare for skin transplantation.
Copper news based on BBC News: Maggot therapy hope "premiere"Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru