INTRODUCTION OF CHRONICAL WOUNDS HEALING WITH LUCILIA SERICATALARVAE IN SLOVENIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND Due to infection of chronic wounds with antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, their healingcan be very difficult. The main purpose of the presented research study was the introductionof a new method for chronic wounds healing, using Lucilia sericata fly larvae intoSlovenia. METHODS For chronic wound healing sterile larvae of L. sericata fly were prepared from a continuousfly culture, maintained at the Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, Universityof Ljubljana. In this way 32 wounds of 30 patients were treated. Larvae were appliedon the wounds for two to three days. Than they were washed off and replaced, if necessary.Microbiological smears were collected before and after the application of the larvae on thewounds. Microorganisms were then isolated and identified. During larval therapy healingimprovement, patient’s general state, potential presence of pain, mobility, patient’s independenceand psychological reaction to the therapy were monitored. RESULTS Using biosurgical therapy 24 (75 %) out of 32 wounds were cleaned and healed. In thecase of combined arterio-venous leg ulcers one wound was completely healed and eight ofthem were cleaned of necrosis and infection. In the case of a venous leg ulcer, six diabeticulcers, eight cases of chronic postoperative wounds and pressure ulcers, wounds were completelycleaned after the treatment. 16 patients reported unpleasant feeling during larvaltreatment and two patients felt pain which diminished after the treatment with analgesics.17 (57 %) patients had to use crutches during biosurgical treatment and the same numberof patients felt uncomfortable, frightened and depressed during the application oflarvae. CONCLUSIONS The method of healing chronic wounds with L. sericata larvae was successfully introducedinto Slovenia. Due to its simplicity and effectiveness biosurgery should be accepted as astandard method in Slovene clinical practice. With the help of biosurgical method chronicwounds heal faster, further inflammation and tissue decomposition are prevented andpatients can integrate faster into normal everyday life