Low-intensity LED therapy (λ 640 ± 20 nm) on saphenectomy healing in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft: a randomized, double-blind study

Photobiomodulation: systematic review and meta-analysis of the most used parameters in the resolution diabetic foot ulcers

The most common photobiomodulation parameters used to aid in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers were investigated in this paper. The databases MEDLINE, LILACS, MEDCARIB, PAHO-IRIS, and WHOLIS were searched with the following descriptors: diabetic foot ulcers AND low-level laser therapy OR low-level therapy AND wound healing; this search was conducted from January of 2014 to December of 2019. Inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trials on humans. Exclusion criteria were systematic reviews, literature reviews, studies with animals, studies lacking photobiomodulation parameters, and studies with non-diabetic individuals. The Jadad scale was used in order to analyze the methodological quality of the matching papers. There were seventeen studies found on PubMed and four on LILACS. Among these, seven were selected, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two out of the seven matching studies obtained a high score, and five obtained a low score, on the Jadad scale. The studies settled on the use of 600-nm and 800-nm wavelength spectrum. Most of the analyzed papers on photobiomodulation on diabetic foot ulcers did not describe the detailed parameters in their methodology. None of the studies featured the maximum score with regard to the Jadad scale for methodological quality. The relations of energy versus wavelength and power versus wavelength were divergent among the parameters on the papers. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the parameters for an optimized power value in order to improve the results of the treatment.

Electromedical devices in wound healing management: a narrative review

Wound healing is the sum of physiological sequential steps, leading to skin restoration. However, in some conditions, such as diabetes, pressure ulcers (PU) and venous legs ulcers (VLU), healing is a major challenge and requires multiple strategies. In this context, some electromedical devices may accelerate and/or support wound healing, modulating the inflammatory, proliferation (granulation) and tissue-remodelling phases. This review describes some helpful electromedical devices including: ultrasonic-assisted wound debridement; electrotherapy; combined ultrasound and electric field stimulation; low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields; phototherapy (for example, laser therapy and light-emitting diode (LED) therapy); biophotonic therapies, and pressure therapies (for example, negative pressure wound therapy, and high pressure and intermittent pneumatic compression) The review focuses on the evidence-based medicine and adequate clinical trial design in relation to these devices.

Effect of Using Triclosan-Impregnated Polyglactin Suture to Prevent Infection of Saphenectomy Wounds in CABG: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of triclosan-coated suture for the reduction of infection in saphenectomy wounds of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods

A total of 508 patients who underwent saphenectomy in CABG surgery were included in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial from February/2011 to June/2014. Patients were randomized into the triclosan-coated suture group (n= 251) and the conventional non-antibiotic suture group (n=257). Demographic (gender and age), clinical (body mass index, diabetes, and use of analgesics), and intraoperative (cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times) variables and those related to the saphenectomy wound (pain, dehiscence, erythema, infection, necrosis, and hyperthermia) were measured and analyzed.

Results

Of the 508 patients who underwent saphenectomy, 69.9% were males and 40.2% were diabetic. Thirty-three (6.5%) patients presented infection: 13 (5.3%) with triclosan and 20 (7.9%) with conventional suture (P=0.281). Among diabetic patients (n=204), triclosan suture was used in 45.1% with four cases of infection; conventional suture was used in 54.9% of them, with 11 cases of infection. Most patients (94.3%) underwent on-pump CABG. Wound pain was observed in 9.9% of patients with triclosan-coated suture and in 17.9% with conventional suture (P=0.011). Wound hyperthermia was found in 1.6% of patients with triclosan-coated suture and in 5.4% of those with conventional suture (P=0.028).

Conclusion

Triclosan-coated suture shows lower infection rate in saphenectomy of patients undergoing CABG, although the differences were not statistically significant. Pain and wound hyperthermia were less frequent in patients with triclosan-coated sutures compared with conventional sutures.

Photobiomodulation Improved the First Stages of Wound Healing Process After Abdominoplasty: An Experimental, Double-Blinded, Non-randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Photobiomodulation is widely studied for its potential benefits in the wound healing process. Numerous scientific studies have highlighted its effect on various phases of wound repair, but clinical validations are few. This comparative trial aims to evaluate the influence of photobiomodulation on the post-abdominoplasty healing process.

METHODS

Seventeen Caucasian women (aged 18-55) who underwent an abdominoplasty were enrolled in this double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. The postoperative scars were divided into two areas; the right side of the scars was treated with ten sessions of photobiomodulation (consisting in three types of wavelengths). The other part of the scars was used as control and did not receive any additional treatment. Clinical assessments of both parts of the scars were scheduled at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperative.

RESULTS

Within six months following surgery, significantly improved quality of the scars on the treated side compared with the untreated side was reported by patients and experienced professionals according to Vancouver Scar Scale, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (p < 0.05) and standardized photographs (p < 0.05). At 1 year of follow-up, patients observed no differences between the treated and untreated sides of the scars. This suggests that photobiomodulation appears to play an early role in the wound healing process, accelerating the first stages of cicatrization.

CONCLUSION

This study statistically validates the positive impact of photobiomodulation treatment on the first stages of the postoperative healing process. Carried out on Caucasians participants only, this study should, however, be performed on a more heterogeneous population to definitively confirm these effects on an international population.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

Registro Brasileiro de ensaios clínicos: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br , Trial RBR-49PK78.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .