Microcirculation is a critical factor in burn wound healing. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has been shown to improve microcirculation in healthy skin and demonstrated ischemic protective effects on heart, kidney, and liver cells. Therefore, we examined microcirculatory effects of RIC in partial thickness burn wounds. The hypothesis of this study is that RIC improves cutaneous microcirculation in partial thickness burn wounds. Twenty patients with partial thickness burn wounds within 48 hours after trauma were included in this study. RIC was performed with an upper arm blood pressure cuff on a healthy upper arm using three ischemia cycles (5 min inflation to 200 mm Hg) followed by 10-minute reperfusion phases. The third and final reperfusion phase lasted 20 minutes. Microcirculation of the remote (lower/upper extremities or torso) burn wound was continuously quantified, using a combined Laser Doppler and white light spectrometry. The capillary blood flow in the burn wounds increased by a maximum of 9.6% after RIC (percentage change from baseline; P < .01). Relative hemoglobin was increased by a maximum of 2.8% (vs. baseline; P < .01), while cutaneous tissue oxygen saturation remained constant (P > .05). RIC improves microcirculation in partial thickness burn wounds by improving blood flow and elevating relative hemoglobin.

The acute effects of imipramine, Org GB 94 and iprindol and the chronic effects of imipramine, desipramine, iprindol and Org GB 94 were studied on the turnover of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin in the whole rat brain. The effects of these drugs on amine turnover was assessed from the incorporation of tritiated tyrosine and tryptophan into the amines. Following acute administration, imipramine significantly reduced the turnover of serotonin whereas Org GB 94 increased that of noradrenaline. After chronic administration, imipramine and desipramine reduced the turnover of serotonin and dopamine, iprindol had no significant effect on brain amine turnover whereas Org GB 94 increased the turnover of noradrenaline. The effect of Org GB 94 on noradrenaline turnover was more marked after intraperitoneal than after oral administration.

To find out whether application of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) affects microcirculation in chronic wounds.

Background: We report the Case of Prolidase - deficiency syndrome in a 3-year-old boy suffering from atraumatic compartment syndrome in both hands. Case description: We discuss four areas of controversy. First, what could be the reason for an atraumatic compartment syndrome in both hands?Second, should we operate on a 3-year-old boy or use a conservative approach? Third, would we have chosen an operative approach knowing the underlying condition? Fourth, how should we proceed postoperatively? Conclusion: We chose to operate him and performed a compartment release operation. He was treated interdisciplinary and discharged after fifteen days.

Two therapeutic options for deep dermal hand burns are autologous split-thickness skin graft (STSG) following tangential excision and the application of the temporary wound dressing Suprathel following removal of burn blisters. We compared elasticity and perfusion of burn scars after both types of therapy at least one year after completion of treatment. A case series of 80 patients of our department with deep dermal hand burns between 2013 and 2018 was examined in the year 2019 at least one year after completion of treatment (24 females and 56 males with a median age of 47.6 years). The clinical assessment of the scar was performed with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the objective assessment with suction cutometry (MPA 580) and an O2C device on both hands. Our statistical analysis showed no statistically significant differences for the R2 and R5 elasticity values between the two types of therapy. The 95% confidence intervals for the ratios of elasticity, and microcirculatory perfusion parameters and scar scale scores of burn scars to respective healthy areas of skin after STSG and Suprathel-therapy mostly covered 1. Subgroup analysis of R2 viscoelasticity and analyses with adjustments for scar compression therapy, nicotine consumption, age, palmar or dorsal localization of the burn scar and interactions of age with smoking and localization gave similar results. The adjusted analysis of SO2 showed statistically significant lower SO2 values, 9% less, after STSG compared to Suprathel treatment. Split-thickness skin graft following tangential excision and the application of Suprathel following removal of burn blisters may be equivalent options for treatment of deep dermal hand burns. To detect possible small differences, further studies with larger samples are required.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die handchirurgische Versorgung in Deutschland unterliegt einem Strukturwandel, der viele Abteilungen in ein Spannungsfeld zwischen Medizin und Ökonomie bringt. Einerseits kommt es zu einer Umverteilung elektiver handchirurgischer Eingriffe aus dem stationären in den ambulanten Sektor, andererseits konzentrieren sich – so unser Eindruck – stationär zu behandelnde handchirurgische Notfälle mehr und mehr an großen Kliniken. Vor diesem Hintergrund fehlen Daten zur Versorgungsrealität von handchirurgischen Notfällen, die diese Arbeit durch eine 10-Jahresanalyse handtraumatologischer Fälle unter epidemiologischen, strukturellen und ökonomischen Aspekten an einer Klinik der Maximalversorgung erhebt und zur Diskussion stellt. Material und Methoden Anhand einer Datenbankabfrage über ICD-Codes wurden handtraumatologische (Hauptdiagnose), stationär behandelte Fälle zwischen 2009 und 2018 identifiziert und im Hinblick auf epidemiologische und wirtschaftliche Kennzahlen (Alter, Geschlecht, Komorbiditäten, Case-Mix-Index, Erlös, Verweildauern, OP-Zeiten) unter verschiedenen Aspekten über PIVOT-Tabellen analysiert. Ausgeschlossen wurden Patienten unter 16 Jahren, Unterarmfrakturen sowie intensivmedizinische Patienten. Ergebnisse Im untersuchten Zeitraum und Zentrum war der typische handchirurgische Traumapatient männlich und durchschnittlich 44 Jahre alt. Der Patient Clinical Complexity Level war in 80 % aller Fälle 0. Der Anteil an Arbeitsunfällen lag durchschnittlich bei ca. 25 %. Die 3 Top-DRGs waren die I32F (18,5 %), X01B (11,3 %) sowie die I32A (7,2 %). Auffällig war über die Jahre ein massiver Fallzahlanstieg von ca. 300 auf über 1000 Fälle/Jahr. Gleichzeitig wurde die Versorgung handchirurgischer Notfälle in 4 von 5 anderen Kliniken in einem Umkreis von 100 km zurückgefahren. Insbesondere außerhalb der Kernarbeitszeit kam es hierdurch zu einer Mehrbelastung. Die mittlere Verweildauer lag bei ca. 4–5 Tagen, die durchschnittliche Schnitt-Naht-Zeit unter 60 Minuten und der durchschnittliche CMI bei 1,23. Damit erlösten diese Patienten im Jahr 2018 4370 €, wobei die BG-Erlöse durchschnittlich 387 € niedriger lagen. Schlussfolgerung Ausgehend von einer höchstwahrscheinlich mehr oder weniger gleichgebliebenen Zahl handchirurgischer Notfälle führen wir den deutlichen Fallzahlanstieg in der Handtraumatologie in unserer Klinik nicht auf eine Zunahme der Verletzungen zurück, sondern auf eine zunehmende Konzentration dieser Fälle in wenigen handchirurgischen Zentren, da aus wirtschaftlichen Gründen die Versorgung von Notfällen an kleineren Häusern zunehmend reduziert wird und dies, obwohl unter wirtschaftlichen Aspekten Handverletzungen interessant sind; lassen sich doch mit wenig Aufwand verhältnismäßig gute Erlöse erzielen, die bei Überschreiten einer kritischen Patientenzahl die Vorhaltekosten einer Dienst-Versorgung amortisieren. Dort, wo sich die Versorgung handtraumatologischer Fälle konzentriert, kommt es insbesondere außerhalb der Kernarbeitszeit zu einer Mehrbelastung, unter Umständen mit negativen Auswirkungen auf die elektive Handchirurgie.

Background: Chronic wounds, such as venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers, impose a significant burden on patients and health care systems worldwide. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) accelerates wound healing and decreases bacterial load in chronic wounds in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. For the first time, we examined the effects of a repetitive application of CAP on the microcirculation in chronic wounds. Hypothesis: The repetitive application of cold atmospheric plasma application further improves microcirculation in chronic wounds. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic wounds were treated repetitively with CAP. The repetitive application consisted of three CAP sessions, each lasting 90 s and separated by a 10-minute microcirculation measuring period. Microcirculation parameters were assessed with combined Laser-Doppler-Flowmetry and spectrophotometry in a tissue depth of 2 mm. Results: Tissue oxygen saturation was significantly increased after the first CAP application. The effect amplitude and duration were further increased after the second and third CAP application with a maximum increase by 16,7% (percent change; p = 0,004 vs. baseline) after the third application. There was no significant increase in capillary blood flow until the third CAP application. After the third CAP application, an increase by 22,6% (p = 0,014) was observed. Postcapillary filling pressure was not significantly increased over the measuring period. The repetitive application of CAP further enhances the microcirculation in chronic wounds compared to a single application. Conclusion: The repetitive application of CAP boosts and prolongs tissue oxygen saturation and capillary blood flow in chronic wounds compared to a single application. This insight could provide an impetus for new treatment protocols.

Background: We tested the workflow and comparability of compression garments (CG) automatically knitted from 3D-body-scan data (3DBSD) versus manually measured data for scar treatment. Industry 4.0 has found its way into surgery, enhancing the trend toward personalized medicine, which plays an increasingly important role in CG scar therapy. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the workflow from 3DBSD to fast and precisely knitted CG and compared it with standard of care. Methods: A randomized controlled crossover feasibility study was conducted as part of the individual medical technology research project “Smart Scar Care.” Objective and patient-reported outcome measures were documented for 10 patients with hypertrophic burn scars at baseline and after wearing CG automatically knitted from 3DBSD versus CG from manually measured data for one month. Results: The “scan-to-knit” workflow and the study design were feasible in 10 of 10 patients. No adverse effects were found. 3DBSD showed a bias of half a centimeter compared with manually measured data and wider limits of agreement. With respect to fit, comfort, suitability, Vancouver Scar Scale, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, stiffness and microcirculation, this was a promising pilot study. Stiffness and blood flow were increased in scars compared with normal skin. The highest rank correlations were found between pain and itch, stiffness and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, Vancouver Scar Scale, and pain. Conclusions: These results indicate that automatically knitted CG using 3DBSD could become an alternative to the standard of care, especially with regard to economical and faster patient care. The produced scan data opens the door for objective scar science.

Background: Given the high prevalence of wounds and their challenging treatment, the research of therapies to improve wound healing is of great clinical interest. In addition, the general consequences of developing chronic wounds constitute a large health economic aspect, which underscores the interest in the development of efficient treatment strategies. Direct cold atmospheric plasma (di_CAP) has been shown to have beneficial effects on microcirculation of human tissue (Kisch et al., 2016a). It also affects microbial settlements, which may have supportive effects on wound healing processes (Balzer et al., 2015). To treat these adequately, in our view, the positive effects on wound healing should be objectified by application on standardized wounds. However, wound healing is a complex process, depending on nutrient and oxygen supply by cutaneous blood circulation. In spite of microcirculation has been shown to improve in healthy skin by CAP, a quantification of the effect in a standardized wound model has never been evaluated (Kisch et al., 2016a). Based on this, we hypothesize that CAP also influences the microcirculation in standardized acute wounds in a prospective cohort study. Methods: Microcirculatory data of 20 healthy subjects (14 males, 6 females; mean age 40.85 +/- 15.84 years; BMI 26.83 +/- 7.27 kg/m2) were recorded continuously at a standardized acute wound after skin transplantation (donor site) at the thigh. Under standardized conditions, microcirculatory measurements were performed using a combined laser Doppler and photospectrometry system. After baseline measurement, CAP was applied by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma device for 90 s to the acute wound area. Immediately after the application, cutaneous microcirculation was assessed for 30 min (min) at the same site. Results: After CAP application, tissue oxygen saturation immediately increased by 5% (92,66 +/- 4,76% vs. Baseline 88,21 +/- 6,52%, p < 0,01) in the first 60 s and remained significantly elevated for 4 min. Capillary blood flow increased by 19.3% within the first minute of CAP therapy (220.14 +/- 65.91 AU vs. Baseline 184.52 +/- 56.77 AU, p < 0.001). The statistically highly significant increase in blood flow continued over the entire measurement time. A maximum value was shown in the blood flow in the 15th minute (232.15 +/- 58.90 AU, p < 0.001) according to CAP application. With regard to the output measurement, it represents a percentage increase of 25.8%. The measurement of post-capillary venous filling pressure at a tissue depth of 6-8 mm was 59.39 +/- AU 12.94 at baseline measurement. After application, there were no significant changes. Conclusion: CAP increases cutaneous tissue oxygen saturation and capillary blood flow at the standardized acute wound healing model. These results support recently published data on wound healing after CAP treatment. However, further studies are needed to determine if this treatment can improve the reduced microcirculation in chronic wounds. Moreover, repetitive application protocols have to be compared with a single session treatment approach.

OBJECTIVE:As suicide attempts by definition entail at least some threat to physical integrity and life, they theoretically qualify as an A1 criterion for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study uses the unique opportunity of deep wrist injuries to quantify the effect of intentionality on PTSD rates by comparing suicide attempt survivors with patients who sustained accidental injuries similar in mechanism, localization, and extent.METHOD:Patients who had been admitted with an acute deep wrist injury from 2008 to 2016 filled out the revised Impact of Event Scale and reported other known PTSD risk factors. Mental morbidity and intentionality of the injury were determined by psychiatric consultation during the index hospitalization.RESULTS:Fifty-one patients were followed up (72.5% male, 92.2% Caucasian, mean age at injury 42.3 ± 17.5 years, 72.5% accidental injuries), on average 4.2 ± 2.9 years after their injury. The intentionality of the injury alone predicted the severity of intrusions, avoidance, hyperarousal, and probable PTSD (aOR = 14.0).CONCLUSIONS:Traumatization in the context of a suicide attempt may be a hitherto unknown PTSD risk factor. Patients after suicide attempts, especially medically serious attempts, should be monitored for PTSD symptoms.

BACKGROUNDExtracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has shown benefits in patients with nonunion or delayed bone healing, pseudarthrosis, and avascular necrosis of bone. Until now, these effects were explained by the release of growth factors, activation of cells, and microfractures occurring after ESWT. Microcirculation is an important factor in bone healing and may be compromised in fractured scaphoids because its blood supply comes from the distal end. Due to this perfusion pattern, the scaphoid bone is prone to nonunion after fracture. The ability of ESWT to enhance microcirculation parameters in soft tissue was of interest to determine if it improves microcirculation in the scaphoid.QUESTIONS/PURPOSES(1) Does capillary blood flow increase after a single session of ESWT in the scaphoid? (2) Do oxygen saturation in the bone and postcapillary venous filling pressure increase after a single session of ESWT in the scaphoid?METHODSESWT (0.3 mJ/mm, 8Hz, 1000 impulses) was applied to the intact scaphoid of 20 volunteers who were without wrist pain and without any important metabolic disorders. Mean age was 43 ± 14 years, 12 men and eight women (40% of total). Volunteers were recruited from January 2017 to May 2017. No anesthetic was given before application of ESWT. An innovative probe designed for measurements in bone by compressing soft tissue and combining laser-Doppler flowmetry and spectrophotometry was used to noninvasively measure parameters of microcirculation in the scaphoid. Blood flow, oxygenation, and venous filling pressure were assessed before and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after ESWT application. Room temperature, humidity, ambient light and measuring sequences were kept consistent. A paired t-test was performed to compare experimental data with baseline (p < 0.05 taken as significant).RESULTSAt baseline, capillary blood flow of the bone was 108 ± 46 arbitrary units (AUs) (86 to 130). After treatment with ESWT, it was 129 ± 44 AUs (106 to 150; p = 0.011, percentage change of 19 %) at 1 minute, 138 ± 46 AUs (116 to 160; p = 0.002, percentage change of 28%) at 2 minutes, 146 ± 54 AUs (121 to 171; p = 0.002, percentage change of 35%) at 3 minutes and 150 ± 52 AUs (126 to 174; p < 0.001, percentage change of 39%) at 5 minutes. It remained elevated until the end of the measuring period at 30 minutes after treatment at 141 ± 42 AUs (121 to 161; p = 0.002) versus baseline). Oxygen saturation and postcapillary venous filling pressure in bone showed no change, with the numbers available.CONCLUSIONSA single session of ESWT increased capillary blood flow in the scaphoid during measuring time of 30 minutes. Bone oxygenation and postcapillary venous filling pressure, however, did not change. Because increased oxygenation is needed for improved bone healing, it remains unclear if a sole increase in capillary blood flow can have clinical benefits. As the measuring period was limited to only 30 minutes, bone oxygenation and postcapillary filling pressure may subsequently show change only after the measuring-period ended.CLINICAL RELEVANCEFurther studies need to evaluate if increased capillary blood flow can be sustained for longer periods and if bone oxygenation and postcapillary venous filling pressure remain unchanged even after prolonged or repetitive ESWT applications. Moreover, clinical studies must validate if increased microcirculation has a positive impact on bone healing and to determine if ESWT can be therapeutically useful on scaphoid fractures and nonunions.

Background:. Despite the clinical importance of suicidal deep wrist injuries (DWIs), we currently do not know whether their injury patterns differ from accidental injuries. Methods:. This retrospective study included all patients admitted to the Clinic of Plastic Surgery for acute treatment of a DWI from 2008 to 2016, except for isolated injuries to the palmaris longus (PL) and amputations. Intentionality of the injury was determined using documentation of psychiatric evaluations; cases that could not be categorized regarding intentionality were excluded. Results:. About 20% of DWIs stemmed from suicide attempts, which involved the nondominant hand in 94.5%. Suicidal DWIs were more likely to involve the median nerve, radial artery, PL, and flexor carpi radialis (FCR), especially on the nondominant hand, but were less likely to involve the ulnar artery and nerve on the dominant hand. The effect of the protective structures PL/flexor carpi ulnaris on the median nerve/ulnar artery could be confirmed for suicidal DWIs, but intactness of the FCR was associated with increased radial artery injuries. Longitudinal cut orientation in suicidal DWIs was associated with more radial artery injuries, but fewer injuries to tendons and nerves. Frequencies of various other injury constellations are tabulated to aid in clinical assessment. Conclusions:. Suicidal and accidental DWIs differed in various aspects of injury pattern. Suicidal injuries were mostly localized to the nondominant radial side, and accidental injuries to the ulnar side. Also, the so-called protective structure FCR had the opposite effect in suicidal injuries. Thus, findings regarding injury patterns in accidental DWIs cannot be generalized to suicidal injuries.

OBJECTIVE:Large pressure ulcers are a well know problem occurring frequently on immobilized patients. They can develop rapidly especially over bony prominences on the elderly, ICU patients and on patients after spinal cord injury. Plastic surgical treatment can be challenging if the defects are large and complications occur like affection of anal region or development of a Marjolin's scar ulcer. Large defects of the sacral region are well known in our university hospital. Common local flaps like gluteal rotation or (double) V-Y advancement flap are often used for the treatment of smaller defects. In special cases these therapies are not sufficient. Rarely we use fillet flap of the lower extremity to cover large sacral defects on patients who were unable to walk before.SUBJECTS AND METHOD:In this case report we demonstrate two relatively young paraplegic patients (49 and 57years old) with large sacral defect wounds. One case occurred in 2017, the other in 2019. After spinal cord injury many years ago both of them developed chronic pressure ulcers of the sacral region. In the case of 2017 a Marjolin's scar ulcer developed as a complication. Both patients had previously lost a leg during the surgical treatment. We used the other remaining leg as a fillet flap in combination with interdisciplinary rectum extirpation for sufficient surgical treatment.RESULTS:In both cases adequate coverage of the sacral defect was achieved after interdisciplinary surgical treatment including rectum extirpation. Fillet flaps were safe, even after necessary surgical revisions. In one of the cases a vacuum wound therapy and several debridements were needed. After rehabilitation the patient of the earlier case is able to fully mobilize himself in everyday life and is even able to use public transport.CONCLUSION:Using a fillet flap of the lower extremity to cover large sacral ulcers is often the last possibility of surgical treatment. Though many complications can occur, full rehabilitation and social participation is possible after fillet flap surgery even with loss of both legs. Depending on patient's motivation and availability of orthopedic technology like special electric wheel chairs and other tools full mobility can be achieved.

BACKGROUND:Dilative cardiomyopathy is an uncommon cardiac complication of electric shock.CASE PRESENTATION:We report a case of a 12-year-old German boy with a high voltage injury who developed a four-chamber dilative cardiomyopathy, which was diagnosed on the 13th week postburn. One year after the accident, echocardiography showed a normal function of his heart with 64% ejection fraction and normal cavities' dimensions.CONCLUSIONS:Despite the fact that dilative cardiomyopathy is not very common in electrical injuries but can be fatal, a prolonged echocardiography follow-up for patients with electrical injury could be recommended. Until now this case is the first child with severe burns after electrocution, who developed a reversible dilative cardiomyopathy.

The gold standard in the primary and secondary treatment for a nerve gap reconstruction is still autologous nerve grafting. Over short distances, application of nerve conduits can effectively solve the problems of limited availability of donor tissue, sacrifice of a functional nerve, and possible neuroma formation of autologous nerve grafting. There are a variety of non-absorbable and absorbable nerve conduits. The 21-years old patient was a war victim in Syria and suffered a shooting trauma of the left thigh two years ago. Nerve reconstruction of the sciatic nerve with a giant nerve tube was performed 9 months after the trauma. Due to the young age of the patient we decide to conduct an exploration and possibly autologous nerve transplantation 2 years after primary surgery. Intraoperatively we found an intubation tube used as a non-bioabsorbable nerve tube including no nerval tissue. This case describes probably the largest nerve tube ever but it also reflects the improvisation of war surgeons under limited circumstances in order to provide a satisfactory medical care during war times.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are rare, associated with a poor prognosis and uncertainty regarding the appropriate management. We report a novel oncologic and reconstructive treatment of a young patient with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the median nerve of the left hand. The patient underwent a wide local excision, an opponensplasty, a nerve reconstruction by nerve allografts followed by brachytherapy treatment. Two years later, the patient remains disease free with preserved function of her hand.

Solitary primary non-Hodgkin bone lymphoma of the hand is a rare entity with only 3 cases reported in the literature. We report the case of a 77-year-old patient with isolated large B-cell bone lymphoma of the proximal phalanx of the little finger without rheumatoid arthritis or methotrexate treatment. The patient was treated with digital amputation and at 6 months' follow-up showed no relapse or dissemination of the disease. Copyright (C) 2018 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.

In the published literature there are controversial data to the biomechanical stability of monocortical comparing to the bicortical fixation of metacarpal fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability of monocortical and bicortical locking osteosynthesis in quasi-static and dynamic 4-point bending tests of composite third metacarpal bone (4th Gen third metacarpal, Sawbones, Malmo, Sweden) fixed with 7-hole locking plate (XXS System, Biotech-Ortho, Wright, Memphis, TN). The tests to determine quasi-static yield and bending strength as well as fatigue strength were conducted in 4 groups of 10 samples after creating standardized mid-shaft transverse osteotomies using a diamont belt grinder (0.3mm saw blade). The force applied was the dorsal apex loading, similar to the forces applied to metacarpals during normal finger flexion and extension.In the quasi-static testing, no plate breakage was observed in each group. All metacarpals broke at their thinnest part. The average bending strength of the bicortical samples (10.54 +/- 0.998 Nm) was significantly higher comparing to the monocortical samples (8.57 +/- 0.894 Nm) (P < .001).In the dynamic loading test, all constructs (8 monocortical samples and 7 bicortical) that failed broke at the osteotomy site and the average fatigue strength did not differ in both groups.Consequently, a unicortical plating method may provide adequate strength and stability to metacarpal fractures based on the results of the cyclical loading representative of in vivo loading.

Background: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has proven its benefits in the reduction of various bacteria and fungi in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Moreover, CAP generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) promoted wound healing in vivo. Charged particles, chemically reactive species (such as O-3, OH, H2O2, O, NxOy), ultraviolet radiation (UV-A and UV-B), strong oscillating electric fields as well as weak electric currents are produced by DBD operated in air. However, wound healing is a complex process, depending on nutrient and oxygen supply via cutaneous blood circulation. Therefore, this study examined the effects of CAP on cutaneous microcirculation in a prospective cohort setting.Hypothesis: Cold atmospheric plasma application enhances cutaneous microcirculation.Methods: Microcirculatory data of 20 healthy subjects (11 males, 9 females; mean age 35.2 +/- 13.8 years; BMI 24.3 +/- 3.1 kg/m(2)) were recorded continuously at a defined skin area at the radial forearm. Under standardized conditions, microcirculatory measurements were performed using a combined laser Doppler and photospectrometry system. After baseline measurement, CAP was applied by a DBD plasma device for 90 s to the same defined skin area of 22.5 cm(2). Immediately after the application cutaneous microcirculation was assessed for 30 min at the same site.Results: After CAP application, tissue oxygen saturation immediately increased by 24% (63.8 +/- 13.8% from 51.4 +/- 13.2% at baseline, p < 0.001) and stayed significantly elevated for 8 min. Cutaneous blood flow increased by 73% (41.0 +/- 31.2 AU from 23.7 +/- 20.8 AU at baseline, p < 0.001) and remained upregulated for 11 min. Furthermore, cutaneous blood flow showed two peaks at 14(29.8 +/- 25.0 AU, p = 0.049) and 19 min (29.8 +/- 22.6 AU, p = 0.048) after treatment. Postcapillary venous filling pressure continuously increased, but showed no significant change vs. baseline in the non-specific BMI group. Subgroup analysis revealed that tissue oxygen saturation, postcapillary venous filling pressure and blood flow increased more in case of a lower BMI.Conclusion: CAP increases cutaneous tissue oxygen saturation and capillary blood flow at the radial forearm of healthy volunteers. These results support recently published data on wound healing after CAP treatment. However, further studies are needed to determine if this treatment can improve the reduced microcirculation in diabetic foot ulcers. Moreover, repetitive application protocols have to be compared with a single session treatment approach. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.