title: Pilot study in neonates using low-level laser therapy in the immediate postoperative period of myelomeningocele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the tissue repair behavior after corrective surgical incision in neonates submitted to low-level laser therapy, in an attempt to diminish the incidence of postoperative dehiscence following the surgery for myelomeningocele performed immediately after birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  It is a prospective pilot study with 13 myelomeningocele patients submitted to surgery at birth who received adjuvant treatment with low-level laser therapy (Group A). Diode laser C.W., λ = 685t nm, p = 21 mW, E = 0.19 J was punctually applied along the surgical incision, summing up 4 to 10 J energy delivered per patient, according to the surgical wound area and, then, compared with the previous results, which were obtained from 23 patients undergoing surgery without laser therapy (Group B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This pilot study showed a significant decline in dehiscence of surgical wounds in neonates submitted to low-level laser therapy as compared to controls (7.69 versus 17.39%, respectively), demonstrating this is an effective, safe and noninvasive treatment method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new adjuvant therapeutic proposal with low-level laser therapy aided healing of surgical wounds, preventing morbidities, as well as decreasing hospital stay, which implies cost of reduction for patients and for the institution.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de medicina, Instituto do Coração Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nathali Cordeiro
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Campos Gomes
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Eduardo Joaquim Lopes
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Alho
authors.affiliation: Nuclear and Physical Department, Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elisabeth Matheus
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.affiliation: Instituto da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vera Lucia Jornada
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery at Neurology Department, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manoel Jacobsen
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Medical Laser Center, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chavantes