Evaluating the effectiveness of combined use of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma and frequently-modulated electric field signal in skin wound healing

Background. Scientists around the world are interested in applying physical phenomena to various fields of science. The development of entire areas united by one concept (‘plasma medicine’, etc.) stands as an outstanding example. This study focuses on only two concepts of interest, which are plasma jet and electric field, as far as results of their combined use in clinical practice and in surgery remain understudied. Objective. Experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of physical methods of treatment in skin wound healing. Material and Methods. Animal testing involved 45 small laboratory animals (rats). They were divided into 5 groups of 9 according to methods for experimental wound healing. To generate the plasma jet, a portable generator was used, which is the original development of specialists of the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Planimetric and histological measurements were analysed. The antibacterial effectiveness of methods under research was investigated using Staphylococcus aureus 209P, cultivated in vitro on 6- and 12-millimeter discs. Discussion. A combination of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma and frequency-modulated electric field signal exhibited the ability to accelerate eschar separation by 52.1% (p < 0.05) and stimulate restorative regeneration by 56% (p < 0.05). Combination of physical methods of treatment demonstrated pronounced antibacterial effect. A histological examination on biopsy sample on the 21st day of observation revealed formed (mature) granulations and large number of newly formed vessels. The cellular composition of epidermal basement membrane showed high level of differentiation. Conclusion. The data obtained suggest that the use of the proposed methods in clinical practice will improve the treatment process of the patients with wounds of different etiology.