An independent guide to maggot debridement therapyOur editorial approach
Patient guide

Comfort, risks and limitations.

MDT is not automatically painless or appropriate for every wound.

Clinical review pendingSource-linked starter information. Not yet approved by an independent clinician. How review works

Talk about pain directly

Published patient information acknowledges that discomfort can occur. A randomized trial also reported greater ulcer-related pain with larval therapy than with hydrogel. Avoid descriptions such as “always painless.” Patient information · VenUS II

Suitability needs an assessment

The clinician must consider the wound, the person's wider health, the proposed product and the ability to monitor treatment. This website does not provide a checklist for approving yourself for MDT or instructions for managing complications.

Make a comfort plan

Before treatment, ask how discomfort will be assessed, what to do if it changes and who can be contacted. Do not independently add products to a dressing or change a treatment schedule based on online advice.

Report changes

Follow the care team's warning-sign instructions. Seek prompt medical attention for a worsening wound or feeling unwell. For a possible medical emergency, use local emergency services; this site's messages are not monitored for emergencies.

What this page cannot decide

It cannot establish whether a wound is infected, whether circulation is adequate or whether MDT is appropriate. A general information page should help you ask better questions, not make that decision for you.

Sources & further reading

Follow the original source for complete details and subsequent updates.

  1. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS: maggot therapy
  2. Dumville et al., 2009: VenUS II randomised trial
MedicalMaggots.com editorial desk · Editorial standardsSuggest a correction
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