Maggot Therapy in the Healing of Recalcitrant Infected Leg Wounds - Essay Example

Accurate figures of the incidence of infected leg wounds turning into recalcitrant ulcers have not been easy, as many of patients with such wounds prefer to be treated at home. Simka and Majeswki, 2003, estimate that in the United Kingdom the annual incidence of infected wounds turning into leg ulcers, as a result of venous insufficiency is 3.5 per 1000 individuals. With the elderly population in the developed world increasing as a result of the increased life expectancy the incidence of such infected wounds is expected to rise.

In addition the possibility of such leg wounds recurring is high and Walker et al, 2000, point out that such infected leg wounds could take as long as thirteen months to heal. The impact of such long periods of disability on their normal activities and the economic impact of their inability to undertake their work responsibilities increases the responsibility of the healthcare professionals to seek ways and means of causing the healing of such infected leg ulcers within the shortest possible period of time.

It is against this backdrop that complementary therapies to the currently employed management and care pathways of recalcitrant infected leg wounds gains significance. A part of this responsibility may be attributed to the underlying pathologies, but as the underlying pathologies cannot be wished away, it becomes important that alternate care pathways that reduce the healing times and increase the possibility of quicker successful outcomes be considered and more so when there is sufficient evidence that suggests the consideration of such therapies.