Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 3s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Ajay k Pillai.
drajaypillaiomfs@gmail.com

Abstract

Aim:  The aim of the study is to assess pain, wound infection and scar tissue appearance in the extraoral wound in the maxillofacial region using LLLT and to compare it to the region where no laser therapy was used. Material and Methods: The study was performed on 20 patients in whom wound closure was done with 4-0 nylon sutures. Half of the closed wound was subjected to a diode laser of 1500 Hz frequency and 650 nm wavelength for 5 minutes and remaining half of the wound was considered as a control site. Patients were subjected to LLLT for the next seven days. The patients were assessed for postoperative pain and infection on day 1, 3 and 7 and for scar evaluation after one month postoperatively. Results: No difference was observed in mean pain score between areas treated with LLLT and control site. 10% patients without LLLT (control group) presented with the infection on day 7, whereas none of the study group presented with infection. The study also found better cosmetic results in patients who were treated with LLLT by three independent observers when evaluated one month postoperatively. Conclusions: LLLT has resulted in better cosmesis, curtailed the rate of infection and pain; thus, we can conclude that LLLT has been found to be impervious on cutaneous wounds.

Keywords: Low-level laser therapy, wound healing, laser.