Doctors at Century Hospital remove nearly 150 maggots (baby houseflies) from the nose of a critically ill woman to save her life
- Patient earlier lost her eye to mucormycosis/black fungus due to Covid-19 infection
- Renowned skull base surgeon Dr Janakiram led doctors team
In the past, this 50-year-old woman, a homemaker from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, suffered from Covid-19 infection that led to mucormycosis. With infection spreading to her brain, patient’s right eye was removed. Her kidney functioning got impacted and was diabetic. When the patient was brought to Century Hospital, the team of experts discovered presence of a bunch of maggots (also known as larvae of houseflies / baby houseflies) inside her nose. This was because of her sick health, due to which she neither realized the condition or nor could complain about it.
Commenting on the patient’s condition and treatment, Dr. Janakiram, Renowned Skull base surgeon and Senior ENT Consultant, Century Hospital, who led the procedure said, “Examination of the patient revealed presence of maggots just below the brain; and considering her high blood sugar levels and weak kidney functioning, the patient’s condition had to be stabilized. While a team of general physician and nephrologist were striving to stabilize her health condition, we simultaneously initiated the process of cleaning the maggots. Once her condition started improving to the treatment being administered, we realized her facial bones closer to the brain were completely infected. However, extraordinary efforts put in by the team of experts over few days, gave a second lease of life to the patient now.”
Dr. Hemanth Kaukuntla, CEO, Century Hospital said, “I am extremely happy about this 50 year old woman that we could save her life under the able guidance of internationally acclaimed Skull base surgeon Dr Janakiram, who is on board with us. He offers services to patients who need very complex surgeries. At Century, we have adequate infrastructure that delivers world class treatment at affordable prices. We have helped this patient considering her family’s financial constraints too.”
The patient contracted Covid some 6 months ago and later developed mucormycosis. Usually, when a patient gets mucormycosis, what happens, they will not feel the sensation. Usually, when a mosquito or housefly is landed on our skin, we'll get the sensation and try to tap it. It will go away. But, as these patients don't have any sensation, the houseflies have entered her nose and kept eggs inside. Once the eggs are hatched, they become larva, which is called maggots. It can enter the brain and cause meningitis.
Now the patient is completely recovered. She can see with her left eye, she is walking and attending to her regular domestic chores. The patient and her family members have thanked Dr Janakiram and all the other doctors' team who have saved her life. They have also thanked the management of Century Hospitals for providing such good treatment and excellent nursing care to the patient. Dr Janakiram is an expert in dealing with mucormycosis. He is writing a book on this. He is also farming his classification in mucormycosis.