Cold atmospheric plasma and advanced negative pressure wound therapy: Treatment concept for complicated wounds in cardiac surgery

Abstract

Complex wounds not only affect the patient in terms of quality of life and risk of mortality but also cause additional costs for prolonged hospitalization and possibly prolonged posthospital care. An innovative treatment concept, consisting of cold atmospheric plasma, the use of a combination of carbon fiber dressing laid directly on the wound with negative pressure therapy and rinsing solutions releasing singlet oxygen, allows infected implants to be cleansed. The procedure initially developed for infected ventricular assist devices is also recommended for other complex wounds in cardiac surgery, such as sternal wound infections, because of its proven effectiveness and excellent tolerability. With this procedure the initially required débridement can be limited. Thus, it enables a tissue-preserving treatment approach. Furthermore, the intensified wound treatment can help to reduce treatment times and therefore save costs.