Larval therapy II. - a modern method of treatment long-term non-healing wounds and use in clinical practice

Larval therapy (Maggot Debridement Therapy - MDT) is the intentional application of alive larvae of green bottle fly (L. sericata) to non-healing wounds, which have three mechanisms of actions on wounds: debridement, disinfection, stimulation of healing. MDT is used for the purpose of debridement and disinfection of chronic wounds with necrotic tissue. On the other side, larvae should not be used in open wounds, in sinuses, or in wounds around large blood vessels. We used three basic application techniques of MDT, "retention cage" - modification application techniques derived from the techniques of Shermanom, a new method of applying the "retention cage" with using adhesive tape on base of polyvinylalcohol and most practical application of larvae in a "biobag". Sterile larvae and eggs for MDT application in Slovak Republic are made and distributed by organisation Scientica s.r.o. Nowadays MDT is used in many countries as an alternative to surgical treatment, which provides a fast and efficient wound debridement and contributes in the wound healing process as well as reduces the total cost of treatment.