A Novel Plasma Microscalpel Based on Airplasma® Technology. A Histological Analysis of Brain Tissue Damage

BackgroundMicroscalpel based upon Airplasma® technology showed promising results in dermatology, plastic surgery and veterinary in terms of tissue lateral thermal damage (LTI). In this preclinical work, we aimed to explore its effect on central nervous system tissues which has not been established yet.MethodsSamples of glioma and meningioma tissue were cut by plasma microscalpel (PM) and bipolar forceps (BC). A pathologist, blinded to the assignment of samples, analyzed the presence of histological damage, that was the primary endpoint. This was a composite of 4 pathological aspects. A comparison between different types of cutting was performed.ResultsForty-three patients were included in the final analysis. Histological damage was observed in 14.29% of PM samples and in 46.34% of BC ones (P 0.001). A sensitivity analysis of the primary endpoint, based on significant damage in each pathological aspect, revealed significantly better results for PM samples.ConclusionsMicroscalpel based on Airplasma® technology showed less cellular damage if it is compared to BC. Even if it cannot supplant the bipolar cautery, this instrument could be important in microneurosurgery in terms of precise cutting, minimized temperature, very low lateral LTI and the possibility to reset mechanical forces.