Biomodulation effects of LED and therapeutic ultrasound combined with semipermeable dressing in the repair process of cutaneous lesions in rats.

PURPOSE To compare the biomodulatory effects of LED and ultrasound combined with semipermeable dressing in the repair of cutaneous lesions. METHODS Eighty-four Wistar rats were submitted to surgical injury (2.5 cm) and divided into four groups (n=21): Group I (control), Group II (LED therapy, LED), Group III (LED therapy + dressing, LED+D) and Group IV (ultrasound + dressing, US+D). At seven, 14 and 21 days, the animals were euthanized, and the specimens of interest removed for histological analysis. RESULTS Histological and histomorphometric analysis revealed a greater percent wound regression in animals receiving the dressing (group III: 55.97; group IV: 53.06), as well as a greater reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate (group III: 29.14; group IV: 31.71) since day 7. A later effect, with progression of the tissue repair process only after 14 and 21 days, was observed in the LED group intense fibroblast proliferation and greater collagen fiber production and organization were seen in the LED+D and US+D groups compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION LED combined with a dressing was more effective at accelerating in the repair of cutaneous lesions.