Plasma-mediated radiofrequency ablation was more effective at reducing wound bacterial loads in an ex vivo porcine wound model compared to hydro-debridement and cold steel curette. Hydro-debridement significantly increased bacterial aerosolization by up to 20,000%, while plasma ablation and curette debridement did not increase aerosolization. The study shows that plasma ablation is a promising wound debridement method that effectively reduces bacteria in the wound without increasing the risk of bacterial transmission through aerosols. Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate the antibacterial effect and wound healing effects of plasma ablation in patients.

1. BACTERIA AEROSOL SPREAD WITH DIFFERENT
METHODS FOR WOUND DEBRIDEMENT
HH Sönnergren, MD, LLB, S Polesie, MD, L Strömbeck, PhD, F
Aldenborg, MD, PhD, BR Johansson, MD, PhD, J Faergemann, MD, PhD
Department of Dermatology and Venereology
Institute of Clinical Sciences at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of
Gothenburg
Background
• Debridement is essential in wound treatment to
remove necrotic tissue and wound bacteria
• Wound debridement may lead to the
transmission of bacteria by aerosolization and
cross-contamination of bacteria to other patients
Purpose
The aims of the study were to in an ex vivo
porcine wound model;
1) Determine the reduction of wound bacterial
load, and
2) Compare the amount of bacterial
aerosolization induced by debridement,
using;
a) Cold steel curette,
b) Plasma-mediated bipolar radiofrequency
ablation, or
c) Hydro-debridement
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2. Methods
Porcine full thickness skin specimens
Artificial full thickness wounds cut out
Inoculated with S. aureus and
incubated 24 hrs
Debrided with Plasma-ablation/
Hydrosurgery/Curette
Bacteria-aerosol measured during
debridement and Wound swabs pre/
post
Fig 1. Artificial
porcine wound.
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3. Results
• Only plasma-ablation significantly reduced the
wound bacterial load (P<0.0001).
• Hydro-debridement resulted in a significant
bacterial aerosolization increase with up to
20 000% (P<0.001).
• Plasma-ablation and curette debridement
did not increase bacterial aerosolization. 3 of 4

4. Conclusions
This study shows that plasma-ablation is a
promising wound debridement method which;
• Effectively reduce the wound bed bacterial
load.
• Do not increase the risk of bacterial
aerosolization.
Take home message
The plasma-ablation method should be further
evaluated in prospective clinical trials to
evaluate the clinical antibacterial effect and
the wound healing progression after
treatment.
For additional information, please contact:
Dr Henrik H Sönnergren
Physician
Department of Dermatology
Gröna stråket 16
SE-41345, Gothenburg
Sweden
Phone: +46 703 347532
henrik.sonnergren@gu.se
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