The feasibility of cold atmospheric plasma in the treatment of complicated wounds in cranio-maxillo-facial surgery

Abstract

Background: Compromised wound healing in cranio-maxillo-facial surgery is a threat to the patient's rehabilitation. Therapy of chronic and/or infected wounds is time- and cost-consuming, burdensome and occasionally futile. Cold atmospheric plasma is a new approach that promises to overcome these limitations. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of cold plasma irradiation in patients with impaired wound healing who are refractory to conservative wound therapy and/or revision surgery.

Materials and methods: We enrolled six patients (mean age: 63.5 years; SD 8.8 years; 1 female and 5 males) who experienced various cranio-maxillo-facial surgical procedures and suffered from wound healing disturbances. In addition to established wound care, all wounds were irradiated with cold atmospheric plasma. The primary outcome variable was the attainment of complete wound closure.

Results: In all patients, complete remission in terms of wound closure was observed within a mean time of 15.5 weeks (range: 4-38 weeks). No undesirable side effects were observed, and no inflammation or infection occurred after cold plasma initiation.

Conclusion: The use of cold atmospheric plasma might offer a reliable, conservative treatment option in complicated wound healing disturbances in cranio-maxillo-facial surgery.

Keywords: Cold atmospheric plasma; Free fibula flap; Wound healing disorders.