The effects of 660 nm and 780 nm laser irradiation on viability of random skin flap in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Some studies have shown that laser phototherapy is able to increase skin flap viability by decreasing the necrotic area and increasing neoangiogenesis. However, the mechanism by which laser acts on cells is not fully understood. The present study investigated the effects of two different laser wavelengths at 30 and 40 J/cm(2) on the viability of skin flap in rats.


METHODS
Sixty male animals were used in this study. They were distributed into the following groups (n = 12 each group): control group, group irradiated with 660 nm at 30 J/cm(2); group irradiated with 780 nm, at 30 J/cm(2), group irradiated with 660 nm at 40 J/cm(2); and group irradiated with 780 nm at 40 J/cm(2). The skin flap was performed on the back of all animals studied, with a plastic sheet interposed between the flap and the donor site. Laser irradiation was done immediately after the surgery and on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 post-surgery. The percentage of the necrotic area of the flap was calculated at day 7 post-surgery.


RESULTS
Control group showed a necrotic area of 62.83%. Interestingly, no statistically significant differences were found among the treated groups and the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This present study showed that 660 nm and 780 nm lasers at doses of 30 and 40 J/cm(2) were not effective for decreasing the necrotic area of the skin flaps in rats.
Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Vivian
V
Cury
Paulo Sérgio
PS
Bossini
Renan
R
Fangel
Jaqueline de Sousa
Jde S
Crusca
Ana Claudia
AC
Renno
Nivaldo Antonio
NA
Parizotto
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects