We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Low-level laser irradiation, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and necrosis of random skin flaps in rats.
- Authors
Esteves Junior, Ivaldo; Masson, Igor; Oshima, Celina; Paiotti, Ana; Liebano, Richard; Plapler, Helio
- Abstract
Skin flaps are still a matter of concern among surgeons, as failures can occur leading to flap necrosis. However, low-level laser irradiation has been reported as an effective tool to improve the viability of ischemic flaps, yet its mechanisms of action remain unclear. We investigated the effect of low-level laser irradiation on the viability of random skin flaps in rats and determined COX-2 expression in the flap pedicle. The study animals comprised 24 EPM-1 Wistar rats which were randomly allocated into three equal groups. A cranially based dorsal random skin flap measuring 10 × 4 cm was created in all the animals. In one group, laser irradiation was simulated (sham group), and in the other two groups the animals were irradiated at 12 points with 0.29 J at 20 mW (energy density 10.36 J/cm, irradiance 0.71 W/cm), or with 7.3 J at 100 mW (energy density 260.7 J/cm, irradiance 3.57 W/cm). These procedures were applied to the cranial half of the flap immediately after surgery and were repeated on days 2 and 5 after surgery. The percentage necrotic area was determined on day 7 after surgery by the paper template method. The immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in the samples was given scores from 0 to 3. The necrotic area was smaller in group irradiated at 7.3 J compared to sham-treated group and to the group irradiated at 0.29 J ( P < 0.05); there was no difference between the sham-treated group and group irradiated at 0.29 J. COX-2 expression was lower in the group irradiated at 7.3 J than in the sham-treated group and the group irradiated at 0.29 J ( P < 0.001). Low-level laser therapy was effective in decreasing random skin flap necrosis in rats using a laser energy of 7.30 J per point. Laser irradiation also decreased the expression of COX-2 in the flap pedicle.
- Subjects
SURGICAL flaps; CYCLOOXYGENASE 2; NECROSIS; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY; MEDICAL lasers; LOW-level radiation; LABORATORY rats
- Publication
Lasers in Medical Science, 2012, Vol 27, Issue 3, p655
- ISSN
0268-8921
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10103-011-1011-1