RESUMEN

Anal fistula, characterized by abnormal tracts between the perianal skin and the anal canal, presents challenges in treatment because of its diversity and complexity. This study investigates the use of non-thermal plasma as a postsurgical therapy for anal fistula, aiming to promote healing and tissue regeneration. A specialized plasma reactor was designed to apply non-thermal plasma within the anorectal cavity practically. Non-thermal plasma treatment was administered to 20 patients including 10 undergoing fistulectomies and 10 undergoing fistulotomies. The average duration of non-thermal plasma application in the operating room was shorter for fistulotomies. The pain reported the day after surgery was similar in both groups. Improvements in the number of evacuations starting from the day after surgery, as well as the assessment of stool quality using the Bristol scale, indicated satisfactory intestinal recovery. Fistulotomy patients exhibited faster wound healing times. These findings underscore the efficacy of non-thermal plasma as a postoperative therapy for anal fistula, enhancing healing and recovery outcomes without increasing complication risks.

RESUMEN

(1) Background: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy in accelerating wound healing in patients who have undergone laparoscopic and open surgeries. (2) Methods: NTP was applied using a needle-type reactor with an irradiance of 0.5 W/cm2 on the surgical wounds of fifty patients after obtaining informed consent. Three NTP treatments, each lasting three minutes, were administered hourly. (3) Results: The pilot study showed that NTP-treated surgical wounds healed completely without any signs of infection, dehiscence, pain, or itching. Notably, patients reported minimal pain after the NTP treatment. Visual assessments conducted twenty-four hours after surgery revealed no redness or fluid discharge. Comparisons with traditionally sutured wounds indicated that NTP-treated wounds healed at a rate equivalent to seven days. (4) Conclusions: The application of NTP in laparoscopic and open wounds proved safe and effective, expediting the wound healing process and eliminating clinical risks post-surgery. Significantly, NTP facilitated a healing rate within twenty-four hours, equivalent to seven days for suture-treated wounds, significantly reducing the hospitalization time to a single day. These findings highlight the potential of NTP to be a transformative approach for promoting postoperative recovery.

RESUMEN

A cold plasma produced with helium gas was applied to two second-degree burns produced with boiling oil. These burns were located on a thigh and a shin of a 59-years-old male person. After the first treatment as benefit the patient neither presented itching nor pain and, after the second treatment, the patient presented new tissue. This result opens the possibilities of the application of a cold plasma source to health burns.

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Demostrar el abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico para el tratamiento de urgencia en las heridas penetrantes en el cuello por proyectil de arma de fuego. Sede: Centro Médico del Instituto de Seguridad Social del Estado de México. Diseño: Presentación de caso clínico. Descripción del caso: Varón de 46 años de edad, con antecedente de herida penetrante en el cuello por arma de fuego, presentando un orifico de entrada en el mentón sin orificio de salida, con compromiso de la vía aérea, siendo protocolizado de acuerdo con los criterios del Apoyo Vital Avanzado en Trauma (ATLS), con control temporal de la vía aérea, efectuando la intubación orotraqueal electiva apoyado por el Servicio de Anestesiología y realizando tratamiento quirúrgico inmediato. Se identificaron las lesiones, y la reparación de las mismas con control de daños se realizó de manera quirúrgica. Conclusión: El identificar de manera rápida y eficaz las lesiones que comprometan la vía aérea superior y, por ende, la vida, así como realizar control de daños en forma oportuna es importante en el ejercicio y quehacer diario del cirujano general. Por esto, es importante tener el conocimiento adecuado de la anatomía del cuello en sus tres zonas, así como de las técnicas quirúrgicas empleadas en este tipo de casos.

Objective: To demonstrate the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for the emergency treatment of neck penetrating injuries due to firearm bullets. Setting: Centro Médico del Instituto de Seguridad Social del Estado de México. Design: Case presentation. Case description: Man of 48 years of age with antecedents of penetrating injury to the neck by a firearm, entrance orifice in the chin without exit orifice, compromising the upper airway. The patient was, subjected to the advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocol, with temporal control of the airway, performing an elective orotracheal intubation, with support from the anesthesia service and performing surgical treatment immediately. Injuries were identified and repaired with damage control exerted surgically. Conclusion: Identifying rapidly and efficiently the injuries that affect the upper airway and, hence, life itself, as well as performing timely damage control is important in the daily activities of the general surgeon, Therefore, it is necessary to have an adequate knowledge of the neck's anatomy in its three zones, as well as to master the surgical techniques used in these cases.