Randomized placebo‐controlled human pilot study of cold atmospheric argon plasma on skin graft donor sites |
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Authors: | Julia Heinlin MD Julia L. Zimmermann PhD Florian Zeman MSc Wolfram Bunk PhD Georg Isbary MD Michael Landthaler MD Tim Maisch PhD Roberto Monetti PhD Gregor Morfill PhD Tetsuji Shimizu PhD Julia Steinbauer MD Wilhelm Stolz MD Sigrid Karrer MD |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, , Regensburg, Germany;2. Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, , Garching, Germany;3. Center for Clinical Studies, University Hospital Regensburg, , Regensburg, Germany;4. Department of Dermatology, Hospital Munich‐Schwabing, , Munich, Germany |
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Abstract: | Cold atmospheric plasma has already been shown to decrease the bacterial load in chronic wounds. However, until now it is not yet known if plasma treatment can also improve wound healing. We aimed to assess the impact of cold atmospheric argon plasma on the process of donor site healing. Forty patients with skin graft donor sites on the upper leg were enrolled in our study. The wound sites were divided into two equally sized areas that were randomly assigned to receive either plasma treatment or placebo (argon gas) for 2 minutes. Donor site healing was evaluated independently by two blinded dermatologists, who compared the wound areas with regard to reepithelialization, blood crusts, fibrin layers, and wound surroundings. From the second treatment day onwards, donor site wound areas treated with plasma (n = 34) showed significantly improved healing compared with placebo‐treated areas (day 1, p = 0.25; day 2, p = 0.011; day 3, p < 0.001; day 4, p < 0.001; day 5, p = 0.004; day 6, p = 0.008; day 7, p = 0.031). Positive effects were observed in terms of improved reepithelialization and fewer fibrin layers and blood crusts, whereas wound surroundings were always normal, independent of the type of treatment. Wound infection did not occur in any of the patients, and no relevant side effects were observed. Both types of treatment were well tolerated. The mechanisms contributing to these clinically observed effects should be further investigated. |
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