Non-thermal plasma wound healing after removal of a neck tumor in a patient with HIV: A case report

Abstract

Background: Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with an increased risk of surgical wound infection. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has multiple properties that help the healing process and deactivate pathogenic microorganisms. An HIV-positive patient was diagnosed with a neck tumour underwent excision of the neoplasm, and NTP therapy was applied as a coadjutant of wound closure. Methods: After the tumour's excision, the NTP therapy was applied to the surgical bed wound for 5 min. Subsequently, also spread the same therapy for 5 min more to the subcutaneous cellular tissue. Finally, a similar procedure was applied to the skin during 4 min. Results: With NTP's applications, wound closure was achieved without skin sutures in a short time, downgrading pain considerably, without the wound having any undesirable effect. Conclusions: Therapy using NTP can be an effective coadjutant procedure for wound closure and prevention of postoperative infection since it has been demonstrated to be effective and safe.

Keywords

• Non-thermal plasma
• Wound
• Neck tumour
• Human immunodeficiency virus
• Wound infection