The effects of different doses of 670 nm diode laser on skin flap survival in rats.

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of different low-level laser therapy (LLLT) doses on random skin flap rats. METHODS Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided in four groups. The control group (CG) was not irradiated. The experimental groups were irradiated with a diode laser 670 nm with different energies per point: group 2 (G2) with 0.06 J; group 3 (G3) 0.15 J and group 4 (G4) 0.57 J. The three groups were irradiated in 12 equally distributed points in the cranial skin flap portion. They were submitted to the irradiation during the immediate, first and second postoperative days. The necrosis area was evaluated in the seventh postoperative day. RESULTS The CG shows 49.35% of necrosis area in the skin flap; G2, 39.14%; G3, 47.01% and G4, 29.17% respectively. There was a significantly difference when G4 was compared with CG`s skin flap necrosis area. CONCLUSION The low-level laser therapy diode 670 nm with 0.57 J energy per point increases the survival in randomic skin flap rats.