Published On 7/6/2026
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new type of fly larvae as a treatment for some chronic and infected wounds.
The new treatment is based on the Australian sheep fly, which doctors in the United States can now use, in addition to another species that has been approved since 2004.
A statement published by the US administration explains the mechanism of using the larvae, as they do not eat healthy tissue, but rather feed mainly on dead, decaying, and infected tissue.
The larvae do this by secreting enzymes that dissolve dead tissue, then absorb this tissue after it turns into liquid. They also reduce the amount of bacteria present in the wound, and some studies indicate that they help eliminate some microbes, which is why they are sometimes called “precision natural surgeons,” because they clean the wound precisely without having to remove a large amount of healthy tissue.
Are these larvae safe?
The statement explains that the larvae are not taken from the natural environment, as they are raised in private laboratories, are completely sterile, and do not carry diseases or microbes, and are then placed inside bandages or special bags that prevent their spread beyond the wound site.
This treatment is used in some wounds that are difficult to heal, such as foot ulcers in diabetic patients, bed sores, some ulcers resulting from poor blood circulation, and some chronic wounds that do not respond to traditional treatment.
Why has interest in this treatment returned?
Treatment using maggots is not new in itself. This treatment method has been used since the 1940s, but after the discovery of antibiotics, its use decreased, but it has returned now due to the increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and the need for less expensive and effective treatment methods in cleaning some chronic wounds.
Approval by the US Food and Drug Administration does not mean that the treatment is better than all other treatments, but rather it means that the administration reviewed the available evidence and considered that the use of this product in specific circumstances meets the safety and effectiveness requirements for medical use.
This treatment is not used for all wounds, but rather it is decided by the doctor when the case is appropriate, and studies indicate that it may be effective in cleaning chronic wounds, especially when it is difficult to remove dead tissue by other means.
However, the evidence of improving wound healing speed or reducing the need for amputation is not equal in all studies, so the treatment is not a suitable option for all patients, but is used in selected cases and under medical supervision.
Although the presence of worms inside the wound seems psychologically disturbing, which is called the “disgust factor,” from a medical standpoint, the larvae used are sterile and medically monitored and are removed after the end of the treatment period, and do not turn into flies inside the wound.
