Alternative method for healing the diabetic foot by means of a plasma needle

Purpose

This case report deals with helium cold plasma as an alternative therapy for healing diabetic foot infections.

Methods

A surgical cleaning of neuropathic ulceration was performed before each one of three diary 0.025 Ls⁻¹ helium plasma needle treatments with a duration in time of 180 s over the entire wound area. The distance between the output reactor and the wound surface varied between 3 and 5 mm, meanwhile the plasma dose was keept at 0.42 W/cm².

Results

An 83-year-old female patient with diabetes mellitus type 2, diagnosed 25 years ago, presented with a chronic ulcer on the left foot was treated with cold plasma. It was applied as circular movements of approximately 10 mm displacement, covering an area of around 10 mm² and continuing this procedure until completely covering the wound, trying to provide a uniform treatment over the entire surface of the wound.

Conclusion

The wound presented ischemia, and according to the classification DEPA had a score of 10, which implied a poor healing prognosis and even had the risk of amputation of the foot. After application of the plasma-based treatment the healing of the chronic wound was promoted due a higher proliferation of endothelial cells that are the promoters of angiogenesis.