A Huge Orofacial Myiasis, the Importance of Ideal Management: A Case Report

Abstract

It is widely accepted that Myiasis refers to infestation of alive human animals or vertebrates from larvae of the Diptera insect family that feed on live or necrotic tissues depending on the species. The Cochliomyia hominivorax species it is the most common, which feeds entirely on the necrotic tissues and is commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas, primary screw-worm larvae fed on the living tissues so that the egg deposition occurs on the periphery of the new wounds. The most common locations in the head and neck where this infestation appears are: the ears, eyes, nose, oral cavity, sinuses, mastoid region, tracheotomy wound and lymph nodes. Multiple parameters predispose to the possibility of presenting myiasis in this area such as the increased age, lower socio-economic status as well as medical co-morbidities and malignant tumors. Therefore, this study presented a case of a 71-year old patient with orofacial myiasis, who received medical treatment, mechanical removal, surgical debridement and occlusion of the wound with liquor based on essence of anis or anisette for the asphyxia of the larvae, with a satisfactory evolution after 7 days of protocol. This case provides interesting information that could help to oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the management of type of orofacial myiasis.

Keywords

• myiasis
• orofacial myiasis
• cochliomyia hominivorax
• honey
• honey-impregnated dressings