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MEDIFLY Treatment

FAQs on MEDIFLY/MDT

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Frequently Asked Questions

Section 1: FAQs on MEDIFLY / MDT

  • MEDIFLY debrides chronic wounds more effectively and efficiently than traditional surgical debridement and is a great alternative for patients who are poor candidates for surgery and anaesthesia.

    Compared to other forms of debridement (surgical / sharp, mechanical, enzymatic or autolytic), Maggot Therapy has been shown to have the following advantages: (1) Accuracy - maggots target necrotic tissue without damaging adjacent healthy tissue in the process. (2) Inflammation - studies have shown that lucifensin, a defensin peptide from the maggot’s excretions, contains antibacterial properties capable of disinfecting wounds and helping reduce chronic inflammation. (3) Drug-resistance - for the treatment of wounds infected by MRSA, the excretions from maggots exhibited a strong and rapid disinfection action.

  • Yes. MEDIFLY is manufactured with medical grade sterile maggots that are 100% clean and germ free.​

    MEDIFLY is ISO 13485-certified and Cuprina Wound Care Solutions is the first Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) manufacturer in the world with this certification in addition to the Health Science Authority (HSA) Class Medical Device certification.

  • MEDIFLY is a bio-dressing made up of live medical grade Lucilla cuprina larvae or ‘maggots’ used to debride, clean and disinfect chronic wounds. The process by which live maggots are placed in a necrotic wound is known as Maggot Therapy or Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT).​ The maggots secrete strong proteolytic enzymes which selectively liquefy devitalised tissue including MRSA but without damaging healthy tissue. In addition, they digest the necrotic tissue and bacteria while secreting strong antimicrobials to help combat infection. ​

    To learn more about what to expect during MEDIFLY treatment or MDT, please click here.

  • No. The next stage of the natural life cycle of a maggot is to form into a pupa before becoming a fly. The maggots can only pupate in dry conditions - not a moist wound.

  • Most of the patients on maggot therapy report no pain or just a slight pain from the treatment.

  • No. There are no side effects of Maggot Therapy.

  • Leave the primary dressing alone until the removal of the maggots. Only change the secondary dressings once every 3-4 hours or whenever the secondary dressing is soaked by the exudate. This prevents the maggots from drowning.

  • The application of MEDIFLY takes 20-25 minutes by the nurses or podiatrists. The maggots are typically left in the wound for 48 hours for the free range and 72 hours for the Baggots (Maggots in a bag).

Section 2: FAQs on Ordering & Insurance

  • If you’d like to learn more about MEDIFLY or Maggot Therapy, and how it can potentially help you or your loved one, our team is here to help. Please contact us using the form here. Our team will respond to your queries as soon as possible.

  • If you or a loved one is suffering from a chronic wound and you think MEDIFLY or Maggot Therapy can help, our team is here to help. Please contact us using the form here. Our team will respond to your queries as soon as possible.

  • [Singapore] Inpatients undergoing Maggot Therapy in hospital settings can claim up to $300 per day for daily hospital charges under the MediSave programme. Eligible patients may also claim AIC subsidies for MDT application and nursing services in a home-care setting.

    [Hong Kong] Cuprina is a registered vendor of medical maggots within the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong, where the provision of Maggot Debridement Therapy is fully subsidized across all government hospitals in the region.

    While the above may provide general guidance, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider and/or insurance provider for personalized advice.