Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Donor Site Burn Wound Healing in Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled
Ahmed Mamdouh Abdelkader1, Ahmed Ali Torad2,3, Mohamed Ahmed Elbedewy4
1School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hosted by GAF (UH-GAF), Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Low-level laser therapy significantly accelerates donor site healing in pediatric burn patients undergoing skin grafting. This treatment offers a promising solution to reduce complications and improve recovery times for young burn survivors.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Severe burns necessitate skin grafting, often leading to donor site complications.
- Accelerating donor site healing is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) shows potential in wound healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of LLLT in enhancing donor site healing in pediatric burn patients.
- To compare healing rates between LLLT and placebo treatment groups.
- To assess LLLT's impact on reducing donor site complications.
Main Methods:
- Forty pediatric patients (5-16 years) with third-degree burns (20-35% TBSA) underwent split-thickness skin grafting.
- Participants were randomized into LLLT or placebo groups, receiving treatment thrice weekly for three weeks.
- Donor site healing was assessed on days 1, 11, and 21 post-operation using digital imaging and wound surface area measurements.
Main Results:
- The study included 40 children, equally divided into LLLT and placebo groups.
- Despite baseline differences in Total Body Surface Area (TBSA), the LLLT group showed significantly faster donor site healing.
- Statistical analysis revealed considerable differences favoring LLLT (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- LLLT significantly enhances donor site healing in pediatric burn patients.
- The findings suggest LLLT is an effective adjunctive therapy for improving outcomes after skin grafting in pediatric burn care.
- Further research may explore optimal LLLT parameters for different burn severities.
Abstract:
Introduction: Severe burns require skin transplantation, although donor site problems are common. Low-level laser therapy can lessen these problems by accelerating the donor site's healing process. In children having skin transplant surgeries for burn injuries, the study evaluated the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in promoting faster healing of donor areas. Methods: Forty children aged five to sixteen with third-degree burns covering 20% to 35% of their total body surface area (TBSA) took part in the study. Each child underwent split-thick skin grafting (STSG) using the thigh as the donor site. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: one received a placebo laser treatment for three weeks, and the other received low-level laser therapy three times weekly. All subjects were given standard wound care. Donor site healing was monitored on days 1, 11, and 21 post-operations by measuring the wound surface area with J Image software and photographs. Results: Forty children participated in the study, with an equal number of males and females split into two groups of twenty each. With no statistically significant age difference, the treatment group average age was 11.15±3.03 years, whereas the placebo group was 9.9±3.42 years. However, there was a significant difference (t=-5.5, P<0.001) between the treatment group and the placebo group, as the treatment group's baseline TBSA value was significantly lower (80.04±12.81) than the placebo group's (99.8±9.7). Conclusion: Despite baseline variances, considerable statistical differences indicate that low-level laser therapy considerably enhances donor site healing in pediatric burn patients.
