Treatment of pressure ulcers with larvae of Lucilia sericata

Pressure ulcers are often caused by unrelieved pressure, neurological disorders, infection, diabetes, and advanced age. Bacterial colonization increases collagenolytic activity and leads to tissue necrosis. The body's defense mechanisms become inadequate in areas with deficient blood supply, leading to easy bacterial proliferation. Conventional treatments include hyperbaric oxygen treatment, vacuum-assisted closure, and surgical debridement. Larval debridement therapy (LDT) has been used since 1990 for various conditions, including venous stasis ulcers and necrotic tumor masses. Larvae of the L. sericata fly species only attack dead tissue and help clean wounds. They remove dead tissue, disinfect the lesion by ingesting microorganisms, and stimulate tissue for granulation development.

• 1
  Twenty nine lesions (78.9%) were Grade 2 and 3 and were completely healed after four to eight treatment sessions.
• 2
  Seven lesions (21.1%) were completely cured at the end of 10 to 14 sessions.
• 3
  All the necrotic crusts over the surface of the ulcers were cleaned and bad odor of the lesions disappeared.