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Updated: Oct 19, 2025
Application of Lucilia sericata Larvae in Debridement of Pressure Wounds in Outpatient Settings
Published on: December 4, 2021
Health professionals' perceptions of maggot debridement therapy
Carmen Pajarillo1, Ronald A Sherman2, Robert Sheridan3
1Boston University School of Public Health, US.
Background:
Maggot debridement therapy (MDT), or the use of maggots in dead tissue removal, has been shown to be beneficial in wound healing. Yet MDT in the US is often only used once conventional debridement methods have failed.
Method:
In this study, nine health professionals, experienced in MDT, were interviewed in order to identify and analyse the perceived societal barriers to MDT acceptance and usage in the US.
Results:
Through qualitative analysis, using the grounded theory framework, this study found that among those interviewed, insurance reimbursement restrictions and stigmatisation of medicinal maggots were the factors driving resistance to MDT use.
Conclusion:
Specifically, the 'yuck' factor and the perception of MDT as an 'ancient' modality contributed towards MDT stigma; in addition, lack of outpatient insurance coverage deterred MDT use. These findings provide useful information regarding the perceptual and systemic barriers that prevent greater acceptance of MDT. Ultimately, these barriers must be understood if we are to facilitate MDT implementation and improve MDT usage in the future.
