Objective: 

The aim of this research is the histological evaluation of the effectiveness of 7-day treatment with Low-energy Laser at different power levels on the healing of surgically induced surgical wounds on rats that were closed with three different suture materials.

Methods: 

Eighteen Wistar Albino rats were randomly allocated to 3 groups. Under sterile and proper surgical conditions, rats were subdermally incised 1-cm on their necks, backs and tail region. Then they were respectively closed with silk, vicryl, and prolene. Each group was treated with laser at 50mw, 4 j for 120 seconds while the control group received no laser treatment. On the 7th day, after decapitation, the wound regions were collected for histopathologic evaluation. The skin samples were immersed in 10% neutral formaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline. Paraffin-embedded skin tissues were sectioned to 5 mm. Samples were stained by using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson Trichrome techniques. The specimens obtained were evaluated and scored for the epithelial damage, inflammation, congestion, collagen synthesis, and tissue regeneration.

Results: 

In comparison with the control group, the experimental groups showed no effect of laser treatment with respect to epithelial damage, congestion and immigration of inflammatory cells. However, an improved healing of wounds and an increase in new collagen synthesis have been observed at low power doses laser treated wounds sutured with silk and prolene. Similar results have been observed on high power doses laser treated wounds sutured with vicryl.

Conclusions: 

It was found that, the silk and prolene suture material was effective at low dose laser, whereas the vicrly was effective at high dose laser treatment.