Use of Cold Plasma in the Treatment of Infected Wounds

Abstract

The fact that chronic and complex wounds are a serious problem, both for those affected and for the health care system, has been known for decades. Most chronic wounds can be healed through targeted treatment of the cause of the wound and optimal wound care. This includes not only phase-adapted modern wound care, but also, in particular, preparation for surgical coverage. The correct preparation of the wound bed, also known as conditioning, plays an important role in this. In recent years, the use of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising new option. Here, the wound is regularly treated with a partially ionized gas. According to studies, this active gas mixture has antimicrobial properties and promotes wound healing by activating cell regenerative processes. To test the efficacy of cold plasma therapy, for complex hard to heel wound with difficult conditions, 40 patients with 41 wounds were included in a retrospective, multicenter observational trial in Italy. The wounds were complex wounds of different genesis that had been present for at least 2 months (> 60 days) were treated with cold atmospheric plasma, generated with the CE approved handheld plasma device plasma care®. The treatment, as an add on to standard wound therapy, was performed once a week and for 1 Minute per treated wound area for an intervention period of 4 weeks. In the intervention period, a total of 41 wounds from 40 patients were treated and measured. Two patients left the trial, the others showed an average wound size reduction of 28% within 30 days. Of all wounds, two were completely closed at the end and 10 wounds even achieved a reduction of at least 40%. Analyzed by initial wound size, 43% of wounds smaller than 18 cm² reduction of 40 %. No improvement or worsening of the wound size was only observed in five wounds. The observational trial showed a reduction in the bacterial load and accelerated wound healing. In addition to the bacterial load, improved wound bed conditioning was also demonstrated. Cold plasma therapy is well suited for locally targeted application to promote wound healing. It is an uncomplicated and quickly applicable method with no known side effects or risks at present.