Cold atmospheric argon plasma treatment may accelerate wound healing in chronic wounds: Results of an open retrospective randomized controlled study in vivo

Previous studies reported a significant reduction in bacterial load in chronic wounds in patients with cold argon plasma. This open retrospective study evaluated effects on wound healing in vivo using the MicroPlaSter alpha device, with wound healing a secondary endpoint. Chronic wounds of various etiologies in 70 patients (Group A) were treated with plasma for 37 min. Wound dimensions before and after treatment were compared for plasma-treated and control wounds. Subgroup analyses were performed for all chronic venous ulcers (n = 27, Group B) and 5 min plasma treatment of chronic venous ulcers (n = 18, Group C). Patient acted as own control. In Group A plasma-treated wounds showed a greater reduction in width and length than control wounds. Reduction rates were non-significant. In Group B a significantly greater reduction in width was measured in plasma-treated ulcers compared to controls, but not in ulcer length. Group C showed again a significant reduction in width with plasma treatment but not in ulcer length. This study suggests that wound healing may be accelerated, particularly for chronic venous ulcers. (C) 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.