EFFECT OF PERMANENT MAGNETIC FIELD ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AND WOUND HEALING IN PLASTIC SURGERY

Daniel Man*, Boris Man*, Harvey Plosker*, Marko Markov#, *Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, Boca Raton, Florida, USA; #Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, USA

Presented at THE SECOND WORLD CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, June 8-13, 1997, Bologna, Italy

The process of cell/tissue repair and regeneration represents one of the most fundamental properties of the human organism. The use of electrical current, magnetic and electromagnetic field stimulation to enhance wound healing is carefully investigated recently. Although well controlled studies on animals and humans have been performed in the stimulation of bone growth by electric current and electromagnetic fields (EMF), the effects of EMF and constant magnetic fields (CMF) on soft tissues remain unclear and represent the next frontier in electromagnetic biology and medicine. It had been demonstrated in animal experimental wound models that electric current stimulation accelerated healing, increased wound tensile strength and intensified inflammatory reaction. The tensile strength was found to increase when a negative electrode is applied, while positive electrodes cause thrombi in many small vessels. Many studies of the electric current of EMF initiated bioeffects are performed with laboratory animals (mostly rats, mice and rabbits). However, the elementary extrapolation of data obtained in animal experiments to humans, may result in an incorrect estimation of the reasons, mechanisms, and long-term effects of magnetic or electromagnetic fields on humans.

This study was therefore designed to evaluate the effect of static magnetic field on postoperative wounds in 21 patients who undergo cosmetic plastic surgical procedures. The magnetic devices (Tectonic®, Magnetherapy Inc., North Palm Beach, FL) in form of patches (varying in thickness from 1 to 6 mm, and magnetic field strength 2450 and 3950 G) were placed over the operative region: in 8 cases - prophylactically, and in 13 cases after pain, edema and/or discoloration had appeared. They were fixed with noncompressive dressings and oriented unidirectionally to the skin in a way to assure the best fit to the area being treated. The magnetic patches were left in place for a total of 48 hours and the treated area have been inspected at 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours after the operation. The results suggest that in approximately 60% of patients pain, edema and discoloration were diminished and in 75% of patients pain and edema disappeared. The magnitude of the reduction in postoperative pain was therefore significant allowing for a decrease in the need for analgesic resolve, while the application of Tectonic® magnets resolved the problem in 3-5 days. The manifested clinical benefits include: a reduction of edema, anti-inflammatory effect, and analgesic effect. The most plausible mechnism should be considered as the enhanced blook flow to the site of surgery, which is pooling oxygen and nutrients thereby speeding the overall healing process.

Fig.1 The effect of unidirectional permanent magnetic field on ecchymosis following liposuction