Experience in the use of low-temperature plasma in the therapy of radiation reactions.

Abstract

The use of low-temperature plasma is a modern and developing direction in medicine, including rehabilitation. Low-temperature plasma (LTP) has a high antiseptic, wound-healing activity, and is also a safe method of physical exposure. In the in-patient facility of clinical unit of Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Further Professional Education Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation named after Prof. Yu.N. Kasatkinа, a patient was treated with low-temperature argon plasma after selective right cervical lymph node dissection, resection of the mandible, and tissues of the oral floor with defect plasty with a fibular autograft for cancer of the gingival mucosa of the mandible on the right pT4aN0M0, stage IVa. In the process of EBRT (external beam radiation therapy), the patient developed a complication in the form of a local radiation reaction with the formation of a fistulous opening in the area of the postoperative scar. The fistulous opening and the affected area were treated with a cooled air-plasma flow. During the continued use of LTP, the termination of pyorrhea, a decrease in hyperemia and edema in the area of tissues damaged by ionizing radiation were noted. The patient was promptly continued radiation therapy. Thus, the use of this therapeutic factor in the program of medical rehabilitation is an effective way of local impact on the pathological focus, allows you to achieve a quick reparative effect, eliminates and prevents the development of bacterial complications. In addition, the use of an air-plasma flow contributes to the rapid relief of manifestations of radiation reactions, having a beneficial effect on damaged tissues, as well as shortening the rehabilitation period for severe cancer patients in the postoperative period and during the course of EBRT. The results of LTP action have a positive effect on the general condition of patients and improve their quality of life.