Previously published in Examiner
Conclusion of the Maggot series
How Is maggot therapy done?
Doctors place live maggots upon the open wound and then seal up the wound with a bandage. The maggots are left on the wound until there is no more dead tissue. Maggots eat only dead tissue. They do not eat live tissue.
The maggots secrete a digestive enzyme directly into the rotten flesh which liquefies the tissues or dissolves it after which the maggots ingest the liquefied tissue.
The patient will feel maggots moving around and when there is no more movement the wound is clean.
It is believed that maggots can treat and prevent bacteria from forming at the wound site. According to Brighthub, “Maggot secretions possess potent antimicrobial activity and can kill a wide range of bacteria, including those that are resistant to antibiotics. If the secretions don’t kill the bacteria, the maggots will eat and destroy it.” It is also believed that maggot therapy stimulates the growth of new tissue,” though there is controversy concerning this last point.
Opposing Views on maggot therapy
The above are the claims that maggot therapy works, but there is also researchers than claim the opposite.
According to Medscape there is no research that supports that maggot therapy works better than standard therapy. According to one study, the maggots did clean the wound but did not do it faster than standard therapy.
There is no research investigating pain or discomfort due to maggot therapy for large burn wounds, and according to the C.A.M. (complimentary alternative Medicine) this might be a good area to focus research on in the future.
All in all, the idea of maggot therapy may sound gross but if you are diabetic, a burn victim, or have any kind of wound that will not heel, consult your doctor to see if maggot therapy is right for you.
Maggot therapy in Montreal
The Russian born, Dr Victor Protsenko, Montreal naturopath uses leech therapy in the Centre Hydrothérapie Colonique clinic. The clinic, according to NationalViewofMedicine, claims that leech therapy can cure any ailment.
With regards to maggot therapy per se, Montreal infectious disease expert, .Dr. Michael Libman, says that insurance coverage for Americans may soon be available for maggot therapy.
Interested Montrealers may inquire with their physicians about which hospitals or clinics will perform this kind of therapy.
Sources:
http://www.thecamreport.com/index.php/2008/08/04/using-maggots-to-clean-wounds/#more-447
http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/25302.aspx
http://books.google.ca/books?id=CymysfJHXHsC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=history+of+maggots+for+wounds&source=bl&ots=Vd1DF0GH1e&sig=9RIcyn1bbZxI-FrJ3dox8Q84n6I&hl=en&ei=PnPQSanJIJrWlQej_7TfCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA21,M1
http://www.nationalreviewofmedicine.com/issue/2008/05/5_patients_practice2_5.html
