Antibacterial Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy in Infective Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus frequently present with foot infections as a complication, which are up to 20% of hospital admissions. On treatment of the wounds with low level laser therapy (LLLT) major changes (Increased granulation tissue, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, early epithelialization and enhanced neovascularisation) can be seen. The objective of study was to assess anti-infective property of LLLT in diabetic infections. Methodology: The present randomized controlled trial was conducted in Department of Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum on 60 patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers for the duration of one year. Patients were divided into two groups using computerized randomization chart. Group I received conventional dressing with betadine and group II received LLLT along with conventional dressing. Both groups received empirical oral antibiotic (CiprofloxacinTinidazole) for two days and culture sensitive antibiotic later. The wound culture was repeated on fifth day and tenth day of treatment. Results: In this study control group had 25 males and 5 female and study group had 23 males and 7 females. Twenty four (24 that is 80%) patients had positive ulcer culture in control group and culture negative ulcer were 6 (20%) on tenth day. In study group culture positive ulcers were 20 (66.66%) and culture negative ulcers were 10 (33.33%) (p=0.3811). Conclusions: The wound subjected to LLLT with conventional therapy showed decreased infection rate at 10 day of culture as compared to conventional dressing group alone.