Eradication of Benign Skin Lesions of the Face by Voltaic Arc Dermabrasion (Atmospheric Plasma): Postoperative Pain Assessment by Thermal Infrared Imaging

Antonio Scarano,Francesco Carinci,Valentina Candotto,Felice Lorusso

doi:10.1007/s00266-020-01891-z

Antonio Scarano, Francesco Carinci + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-020-01891-z

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Abstract

ObjectivesThe face aging processes are associated with physiologic and biochemical alteration that produces wrinkles, skin pigmentation and benign growths. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of voltaic arc dermabrasion with plasma to remove benign facial skin lesions.Study DesignVoltaic arc dermabrasion plasma technique was used to remove the facial benign skin lesions. The study involved 45 patients (26 females;19 males) treated for benign facial skin lesions with voltaic arc dermabrasion also called plasma exeresis technique. The subjects age ranged between 43 and 65 years. The clinical observations and comparison of pretreatment and post-treatment photographs of the treated regions were performed by a joint examiner at each follow-up visit.ResultsDuring plasma irradiation, the average temperature of the skin was 290.3 ± 21.7 °C, while immediately after it was 90.6 ± 21.8 °C. Overall clinical improvement was 100% in six lesions with complete resolution of all lesions. Three patients observed a transient post-inflammatory pigmentation with a peak at 1 month after VAD treatment, gradually fading spontaneously over 2 to 3 months.ConclusionsThe voltaic arc dermabrasion technique (atmospheric plasma) should be considered for lesions, especially relatively superficial ones, and small lesions that are located on the face.Level of Evidence IVThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Highlights

University of Milan, 20122 Milan, ItalyThe aging process of the face is a gradual atrophic progression of soft and hard tissues [1] and takes place gradually, over 3 to 4 decades, with little clinical evidence
The voltaic arc dermabrasion technique should be considered for lesions, especially relatively superficial ones, and small lesions that are located on the face
The benefit of the dermabrasion plasma technique is that it requires a relatively low cost for the equipment, but presents disadvantages related to a potential exposure of the surgeon to blood-borne pathogens aerosolized by the dermabrading procedure [9]

Summary

Introduction

University of Milan, 20122 Milan, ItalyThe aging process of the face is a gradual atrophic progression of soft and hard tissues [1] and takes place gradually, over 3 to 4 decades, with little clinical evidence. There are several basic causes of benign skin lesions on the face: aging of the skin, heredity, post-traumatic effect, hormonal failure, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, improper nutrition and overweight, stomach problems, severe sweating [2]. In most cases, they are represented by fibrohistiocytic masses with an unknown etiology [3]. Dermabrasion is applied to superficial lesions on the face, and it can be considered as safe to the level of the superficial or mid-reticular dermis [6] This technique has been proposed with success for the treatment of wrinkles [7] and skin lesions [8]. The present study was based on the hypothesis that plasma exeresis removes benign facial skin lesions without damaging the surrounding tissues with a restitutio ad integrum of the skin

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