Cold Plasmamed Beam as a Supporting Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries in Severe Covid-19 Patients: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Background Cold plasma has many characteristics that allow for effective wound healing. Due to its efficacy, we have applied it in treating patients with severe Covid-19 who have soft tissue skin lesions and diseases including burns, pressure ulcers, shingles, and contact or atopic dermatitis. This study aims to assess the general characteristics of Covid-19 patients with soft tissue lesions and to conduct a fundamental evaluation of the efficacy of cold plasmamed beams in treating soft tissue wounds in patients with severe Covid-19. Methods This prospective study was conducted on 20 severe Covid-19 patients with soft tissue lesions at the Intensive Care Center for Covid-19 of Hue Central Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City from September 25 to November 11, 2021. These patients was performed cold plasma irradiation at any stage of wound progression, including new injuries and chronic wounds. Results Among 915 severe Covid-19 patients treated at our center, 20 patients had soft tissue lesions. Grade I, II, and III pressure ulcers accounted for 70% of the 20 cases of soft tissue lesions and 1.53% of the total patients at the time of the survey. Pressure ulcers were present in only 0.55% of patients (5/915 patients). Eleven out of 20 patients (55.0%) had lesions before admission, and 9 (45.0%) had lesions that appeared after admission. After 14 days of treatment, 14/20 patients had complete epithelialization (70%), and in 18/20 patients, wound exudation had ceased. The wounds became painless; after 3 weeks, the rashes had completely disappeared. Conclusion The study emphasizes that irradiation with cold plasma contributes to the wound healing process.

The Role of Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Wound Healing Processes in Critically Ill Patients

“…Nguyen et al [47] applied cold plasma in treating patients with severe COVID-19 who had skin injuries such as burns, pressure ulcers, shingles, and contact or atopic dermatitis. Before the plasma application, all the skin injuries were treated with antibiotics and albumin infusions.…”

“…The ICU patient very often has wounds due to protracted immobility, critical conditions, or comorbidities, which can cause further complications [46]. Nguyen et al [47] treated wounds (soft tissue skin lesions, burns, pressure ulcers, shingles, contact, and atopic dermatitis) with CAP at all stages in patients admitted to the ICU with severe COVID-19 infections. A total of 70% of patients who underwent irradiation with CAP as a supportive treatment showed complete epithelialization after 14 days; in addition, cessation of exudation and a reduction in wound pain were noted.…”