Introduction: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has positive effects on wound healing and antimicrobial properties. However, an ongoing challenge is the development of specific modes of application for different clinical indications.
Objectives: We investigated in a prospective pilot study the response and tolerability of a newly developed CAP wound dressing for the acute healing of split skin graft donor sites compared to conventional therapy.
Methods: We applied both treatments to each patient (n = 10) for 7 days and measured 4 parameters of wound healing every other day (i.e., 1,440 measurements) using a hyperspectral imaging camera. Additionally, we evaluated the clinical appearance and pain levels reported by the patients.
Results: The CAP wound dressing was superior to the control (p < 0.001) in the improvement of 3 wound parameters, that is, deep tissue oxygen saturation, hemoglobin distribution, and tissue water distribution. CAP was well tolerated, and pain levels were lower in CAP-treated wound areas.
Conclusion: CAP wound dressing is a promising new tool for acute wound healing.
Keywords: Acute wound healing; Cold atmospheric plasma; Hyperspectral imaging; Plasma medicine; Plasma therapy; Split skin graft donor site; Wound dressing.
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.