title: Novel treatment immediately after myelomeningocele repair applying low-level laser therapy in newborns: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in neurosurgery is still hardly disseminated and there are situations in which the effects of this therapeutic tool would be extremely relevant in this medical field. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of LLLT on tissue repair after the corrective surgical incision in neonates with myelomeningocele, in an attempt to diminish the incidence of postoperative dehiscences following surgical repair performed immediately after birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective pilot study with 13 patients submitted to surgery at birth who received adjuvant treatment with LLLT (group A). A diode laser CW, λ = 685 nm, p = 21 mW, was applied punctually along the surgical incision, with 0.19 J delivered per point, accounting for a total of 4-10 J delivered energy per patient, according to the surgical wound area and then compared with the results obtained in 23 patients who underwent surgery without laser therapy (group B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This pilot study disclosed a significant decline in dehiscences of the surgical wounds in neonates who were submitted to LLLT (7.69 vs. 17.39%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new adjuvant therapeutic modality with LLLT aided the healing of surgical wounds, preventing morbidities, as well as shortening the period of hospital stay, which implies a reduction of costs for patients and for the institution.
authors.affiliation: Division of Functional Neurosurgery of the Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. fernando.neuro@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Fernando C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: M Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chavantes
authors.forename: Nathali C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Eduardo J L
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Alho
authors.forename: Elisabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Hamilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matushita
authors.forename: Vera L J
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Manoel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome