Pin-site myiasis: a rare complication of a treated open fracture of tibia.

ABSTRACT Background: Pin-site myiasis is a rare complication of external fixation of open fractures of the tibia. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 32 year-old man with a history of alcohol and drug abuse presented with an open fracture of the middle third of the fibula and tibia (Gustilo type IIIA) after a motor vehicle crash. Definitive surgical correction of the fracture was made with the insertion of an external skeletal fixator, type Baummer, with 2 bars, 6 pins, and 12 rotules. After three weeks, he presented again with a primary complaint of purulent secretion and maggots at the distal pin site. On removal of the pin, significant destruction of peripheral tissue was evidenced, with a wound approximately 5 cm diameter, from which 105 maggots were extracted, being identified as Cochliomyia hominivorax. Conclusions: There have been no previous reports of myiasis involving an external skeletal fixation and pin, and only one similar case has been reported in a patient with a halo or...