The role of medical-grade maggots in facilitating healing of diabetic foot ulcers in Kano, northern Nigeria: a case series.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 13% of people living with diabetes develop one or more ulcers during the course of the disease, and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is responsible for >60% of lower limb amputations worldwide. This case series aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of medical-grade maggots on DFUs in promoting wound healing and reducing related hospital stays in northern Nigeria. METHOD: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) was applied to the DFUs of patients who consented to this treatment between January-August 2021 at the Orthopaedic Unit of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Nigeria. Sterile first instar larvae of Lucilia sericata were obtained indigenously and applied using the confinement (free-range) method under aseptic procedure. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients with DFUs of Wagner classification grades III (33.3%) and IV (66.7%), were seen and documented. The patients included 10 (66.7%) females and five (33.3%) males, giving a female:male ratio of 2:1. The mean age (±standard deviation) of the respondents was 51.6±10.8 years. The surface area of the wounds ranged from 24-140cm2, with a median value of 75cm2. Among the patients, 60% had two cycles of MDT, with a median duration of five days. Most of the wounds (53.3%) were debrided within five days; 13.3% (two wounds) took seven days to be fully debrided. A paired sample t-test showed a statistically significant association between wound surface area and therapy duration (t=8.0; p=0.000) and between wound surface area and cycles of therapy (t=8.3; p=0.000). Before maggot application, 14 (93.3%) DFUs were completely (100%) covered with slough and only one (6.7%) was 95% covered with slough. After maggot application, 10 (66.7%) wounds were completely debrided while five (33.3%) wounds required bedside surgical debridement to achieve complete debridement. A paired sample t-test showed statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-MDT slough covering the wounds (t=45.1; p=0.000). CONCLUSION: In this case series, MDT was successfully used in the debridement of DFUs, which facilitated the healing process with an encouraging clinical outcome.

Maggot debridement therapy and complementary wound care: a case series from Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is an emerging procedure involving the application of sterile maggots of the Dipteran species (commonly Lucilia sericata) to effect debridement, disinfection and promote healing in wounds not responding to antimicrobial therapy. Data on MDT in sub-Saharan Africa (including Nigeria) are scarce. This study aimed to use medicinal grade maggots as a complementary method to debride hard-to-heal necrotic ulcers and thereby promote wound healing. METHOD: In this descriptive study, we reported on the first group of patients who had MDT at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria. The first instar larvae of Lucilia sericata were applied using the confinement (free-range) maggot therapy dressing method under aseptic conditions. RESULTS: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) grade III-IV constituted more than half of the wounds (53.3%), followed by necrotising fasciitis (30%), and post-traumatic wound infection (10%). Others (6.7%, included pyomyositis, surgical site infection and post traumatic wound infection). The median surface area of the wounds was 56cm2. Of the 30 patients, half (50%) had two MDT cycles with a median time of four days. Of the wounds, 22 (73%) were completely debrided using maggots alone while eight (27%) achieved complete debridement together with surgical debridement. Wound culture pre-MDT yielded bacterial growth for all the patients and Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate in 17 wounds (56.7%) while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes were predominant in five wounds (16.7%) each. Only four (13.3%) wound cultures yielded bacterial growth after MDT, all Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: A good prognosis was achieved post-MDT for various wounds. MDT effectively debrides and significantly disinfects wounds involving different anatomical sites, thus enhancing wound healing and recovery. MDT is recommended in such wounds.

Pattern of limb amputations in Liberia.

Background: Amputation is one of the oldest known surgical procedures. It has been one of the modalities of applying judgment and treatment. Its method and indications has evolved over time. Modern amputation is regarded as a part of treatment rather than failure of treatment. Amputation is the removal of a limb or part of a limb through on or more bone. When through a joint is referred to as disarticulation. Data on the profile and pattern of amputation in Liberia will add to the body of knowledge. Aim and Objectives: Is to describe the pattern of limb of amputations in Liberia. Also to describe the anatomical variations of limb amputations in Liberia. Patients and Method: A retrospective study of all patients that underwent limb amputation surgeries in the John F Kennedy Memorial (JFK M), Hospital , Monrovia Liberia between January 2010 to December 2015. Results: 100 patients had limb amputations between 2010 and 2015. Males(73) to female(27) ratio were 2.4:1. The age range was 9 - 91 years. Mean age was 42.9 years. The indications for amputations were Trauma 24%, Diabetes 29%, Gangrene (6%), Chronic ulcer (25%), Tumour (5%). Below knee(47%), Above Knee(45%), Below elbow(2%), Above Elbow(2%), Knee Disarticulation(2%), and Big Toe Disarticulation(2%). Conclusion: The profile of Limb amputation in Liberia is not very different from what is obtaining in the region. However the limitations of histology and other investigative procedure have affected the accurate diagnosis of certain conditions like tumours.

RésuméContexte: L amputation est l'une des vieilles interventions chirurgicales connues. Elle a ete une des modalitees exigeant un choix judicieux et le traitement adequat. Ses methodes et indications ont evoluer aucours de temps. L' amputation moderne est consideree comme faisant partie du traitement plutot que de l' echec therapeutique. L amputation est definie comme l' ablation d' un member ou d une partie de membre au a travers d' un ou des plusieurs os. Quand ,elle se fait au niveau d'une articulation, celle ci s' appellee la desarticulation. Les donnees sur le profil et structure de l amputation au Liberia ajouteront un plus de conaissance au corps academique. But et objectifs: C' est de decrire le mode d'amputation du member au Liberia; Ainsi que ses variations anatomiques. Patients et Methode: Une etude retrospective de tous les Patients ayant subit l' amputation chirurgicale du membre a John F kennedy Memorial Hospital, Monrovia, Liberia entre janvier 2010 jusque decembre 2015. Resultas: 100 patients ont subit les amputations entre 2010 et 2015. Males :73, Femeles: 27, Sexe ratio :2.4/1, Tranche d 'age :9-91ans, Age moyen: 42,9 ans, Indications des amputations: Diabetes:29%, Ulceres chroniques:25%, Traumatisme: 24%, Gangrene: 6%, Tumeures: 5%, Au dessous du genou: 47%, Au dessus du genoux: 45%, En dessous du coude: 2%, Au dessus du coude:2%, Disarticulation du genou: 2%, Desarticulation du gros orteil : 2%. Conclusion: Le profil sur les amputations des membres au Liberia n' est pas tres different de ce obtenu dans la region. Cependant ,carence en histologie et autres investigatios paracliniques ont affectees le diagnostique precis des certaines conditions comme les tumeurs.

Pattern of limb amputations in Liberia

Background: Amputation is one of the oldest known surgical procedures. It has been one of the modalities of applying judgment and treatment. Its method and indications has evolved over time. Modern amputation is regarded as a part of treatment rather than failure of treatment. Amputation is the removal of a limb or part of a limb through on or more bone. When through a joint is referred to as disarticulation. Data on the profile and pattern of amputation in Liberia will add to the body of knowledge. Aim and Objectives: Is to describe the pattern of limb of amputations in Liberia. Also to describe the anatomical variations of limb amputations in Liberia. Patients and Method: A retrospective study of all patients that underwent limb amputation surgeries in the John F Kennedy Memorial (JFK M), Hospital , Monrovia Liberia between January 2010 to December 2015. Results: 100 patients had limb amputations between 2010 and 2015. Males(73) to female(27) ratio were 2.4:1. The age range was 9 - 91 years. Mean age was 42.9 years. The indications for amputations were Trauma 24%, Diabetes 29%, Gangrene (6%), Chronic ulcer (25%), Tumour (5%). Below knee(47%), Above Knee(45%), Below elbow(2%), Above Elbow(2%), Knee Disarticulation(2%), and Big Toe Disarticulation(2%). Conclusion: The profile of Limb amputation in Liberia is not very different from what is obtaining in the region. However the limitations of histology and other investigative procedure have affected the accurate diagnosis of certain conditions like tumours