Low-intensity laser therapy on wound healing - review of literature

Abstract

Low-intensity lasers are used as therapeutic tools after conventional treatment, to achieve anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and acceleration of wound healing. This therapy gives a more comfortable post-surgical period with the possibility of reducing medicine use. Besides the controversial results in literature, sometimes with positive, sometimes with negative results, the cell culture research has been showing promising findings. They showed that laser is responsible for enhancement of proliferation and cellular activity, increase in collagen production, DNA synthesis and growth factor production and reduction of prostaglandins. This literature review aims at showing the existing controversies between studies on low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) for acceleration of wound healing, citing human and animal papers and giving emphasis on cell culture research. The last one has been showing promising results and helps to understand the mechanisms of action of lasers. In conclusion, it is possible to assert that, although literature is controversial about this subject, the basic research in vitro has promising results. With these studies, it will be possible to clarify the mechanisms of action of laser on wound healing and to establish application protocols in humans.