Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Low-Temperature Plasma Surgical System for Pterygium

Abstract

Purpose: Surgical excision is the standard treatment for pterygium. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel technique using low-temperature plasma (LTP) for excision and hemostasis in pterygium surgery. Methods: A prospective, comparative, and randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients (60 eyes) undergoing pterygium excision with conjunctival autografts using fibrin glue. Patients were equally divided into the following 2 groups: a control group and a LTP group. Postoperative follow-up visits were scheduled on day 1, week 1, and months 1 and 3, and recurrence was evaluated at 1 year. Patients were examined for operative time, best corrected visual acuity, conjunctival autograft inflammation (CAI), graft stability (GS), pain, recurrence, and final appearance. Factors related to pterygium recurrence and final appearance were analyzed. Results: Mean operative times were shorter in the LTP group (16.7 ± 3.4 min) than those in the control group (20.1 ± 4.7 min, P = 0.002). LTP eyes had milder CAI than control eyes at postoperative day 1 ( P = 0.000) and week 1 ( P = 0.000). Patients in the LTP group exhibited better GS ( P = 0.01) and milder pain ( P = 0.04) than those in the control group on day 1. Two control patients (6.7%) and no (0%) LTP patients experienced recurrence ( P = 0.08). GS and CAI were the significant factors contributing to recurrence (GS: R = 0.425, P = 0.001; CAI: R = 0.309, P = 0.016). Conclusions: LTP to replace surgical blades and disposable cautery for ablation and hemostasis is safe and efficient for pterygium surgery, resulting in shorter operative time, milder inflammation, and better graft stability without increasing complication risk.

Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation and autologous conjunctival transplantation for pterygium excision.

“…Huang et al reported that low-temperature plasma is safe and e cient for pterygium surgery, but the optimal energy choice for pterygium surgery and its correlation with in ammatory factors have not yet been elucidated. 34 In our research, we have veri ed the safety of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation for corneal tissue through animal experiments. In animal experiments, we chose the ablation energy of 20, 15, 10J/cm 2 for the safety analysis of lowtemperature plasma radiofrequency ablation.…”

Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Low-Temperature Plasma Ablation Treatment for Recurrent Corneal Erosions

“…Huang H. et al, concluded that low-temperature plasma ablation is effective and safe for treating pterygiums. It reduces the amount of time needed for surgery, reduces inflammation and improves the graft stability without raising the risk of complications [ 36 ]. The results of Wahaj Saleem ‘s experiment show that the treatment enhances the rate of scratch wound closure in a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line and considerably reduces the incidence of mucopurulent corneal ulcers and the severity of edema (swelling) in P. aeruginosa -infected rabbit corneas [ 37 ].…”

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Medicine: Applications, Challenges, and Opportunities for Predictive Control

“…Presently, the most commonly researched applications within the field of plasma medicine are dentistry [13], dermatology [14,15], oncology [16], infection control, and sterilization [17][18][19]. However, there is further potential for applications of cold plasma treatments in a variety of other areas, including ophthalmological and neurological applications [20][21][22]. Some applications of plasma medicine extend beyond the realm of tissue or clinical treatments.…”