Successful treatment of burning ulcers by using maggot therapy as an accompanying method in Shahid Motahhari Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Background: Acute ulcers because of burns cause destructive damages due to arising severe impairments. Resistant bacterial infections are common and prevent proper and early treatment. There are some case reports around the world about the successful and effective use of Maggot Therapy (MT) in burning ulcers treatment but there aren’t such documented reports in Iran. This study has conducted to investigate the effectiveness of MT on healing of burning ulcers and removing their bacterial infections in Iran.Methods: This study has been carried out on two cases of burning ulcers in Shahid Motahhari hospital of Tehran with code of IR.TUMS.VCR.REC.1396.4691. Sterile larvae of Lucilia sericata were used as agent of MT. A 2-days schedule has planned for replacing of larvae with new one, bacterial sampling and measuring of necrotic and granulated tissues. First case with a wound on left forearm with exposed bone due to burning with portable cooking stove which has been inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Second case was the burning ulcer caused by electricity on right hand with infection of Staphylococcus aureus and resisted to healing. Both cases were under antibiotic therapy.Results: Necrotic tissues of firs case, about 82.42 cm2, and its bacterial infection to P. aerogynosa, have been removed totally after six rounds of MT. Exposed area of the bone was covered with newly grown tissues during MT. MT finished after 8 rounds. Three rounds of MT were enough to remove its necrotic tissues which were more than 24.5 cm2 and the bacteria S. aureus. Granulated tissues were appeared in both cases and covered all the wound surfaces after removing of bacteria and necrotic tissues. Wound healing and filling the cavities with newly grown tissues were clear and visible in both cases.Conclusions: Use of MT in parallel with other methods can be recommended for patients with burning ulcers especially in the cases with resistant bacterial infected.