title: Experimental model for low level laser therapy on ischemic random skin flap in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop an experimental model to be used in the study of low level Laser therapy on viability of random skin flap in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was 24 Wistar-EPM rats. The random skin flap measured 10 x 4 cm and a plastic sheet was interposed between the flap and donor site. Group 1 (control) underwent sham irradiation with diode laser (830 nm). Group 2 was submitted to laser irradiation with diode laser (830 nm). The animals were submitted to Laser therapy with 36 J/cm(2) energy density (72 seconds) immediately after the surgery and on the four subsequent days. The probe was usually held in contact with the skin flap surface on a point at 2.5 cm cranial from the flap base. On the seventh postoperative day, the percentage of necrotic area was measured and calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group 1 reached an average necrotic area of 48.86%, Group 2 - 23.14%. After the statistic analysis, compared with the control group, Group 2 showed a statistically significant increase in survival area (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experimental model proved to be reliable to be used in the study of effects of low level laser therapy in random skin flap in rats.
authors.affiliation: Post-graduation Program in Plastic Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 715/4 andar, 04024-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. paschoalrp@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rodrigo Paschoal
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Richard Eloin
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Liebano
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hochman
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pinfildi
authors.forename: Lydia Masako
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007511:Ischemia / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000528:radiation effects