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 mechanism should be considered as the enhanced blood 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
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