[Maggots in the wound, debridement, disinfection and wound healing]

An 87-year-old man had a longstanding untreated large basosquamous carcinoma on his right ear. He was admitted to the emergency department at our hospital. A large portion of the auricle had perished, together with part of the tumour. Surgery was planned but two days before, the patient complained of an irritating loud noise in his ear. We discovered this was caused by maggots in his external acoustic meatus: myiasis. Dozens of maggots were removed. A striking finding was that the smell of the wound had disappeared and that the wound was much cleaner, with a reddish aspect and less necrosis. The surgical procedure was uneventful. Larval therapy has been known for centuries. In recent years it has gained renewed interest as it may enhance wound debridement, wound disinfection, and may promote wound healing.