Abstract
We performed an experimental study to determine the effect of low incident levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser irradiation on the survival of experimental acute random skin flaps in the rat model, In the experimental group (n=11) the skin flaps were irradiated postoperatively with the defocused beam of the CO2 laser (power density 300 mW/cm2), two times a day, for 7 days. The survival length of the skin flaps was measured at the 14th postoperative day. The mean survival length of the skin flaps was 5.83 ± 1.02 cm (mean ± S.D,) in experimental group, and 3.60 ± 0.49 cm (mean ± S.D.) in the control group (n=11). The result showed a statistically significant difference between the irradiated and unirradiated groups (t=6.53, P<0.001). In a separate related controlled experiment. the morphological and metabolic changes of the irradiated and unirradiated skin flaps were studied. The effects of LLLT on enhanced survival of skin flaps in the rat model are attributed to an enhanced circulatory response, and as part of the enzymatic response, a decrease in LDH activity was found, possibly reducing total lactate content, thus helping to control acidosis at a cellular level. The authors conclude that, at the parameters used in the present study, LLLT with the CO2 laser certainly prolongs the survival of flaps at a cellular level, thus aiding swifter revascularization and thus improving the overall survival of the irradiated flaps.
