Maggot infestation (myiasis) of external fixation pin sites in diabetic patients

Diabetic patients, and especially elderly patients in a low-nutritional or immunocompromised state, are prone to a variety of opportunistic infections. 'Myiasis' is a term that refers to non-iatrogenic infestation of tissues by larvae, commonly known as maggots, of dipterous flies. Myiasis as a complication of fracture treatment by means of external fixation of tong bones has not been reported. We present three diabetic patients, who suffered maggot infestation of their external fixation pin holes, and their outcome. Diabetes, immobilization, poor hygiene and low immune status are predisposing factors for developing myiasis, an extremely rare complication for external fixation of fractures. (C) 2008 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.